Tag Archives: #WildRosePressAuthors

April 14, 2023 · 12:11 am

#firstlinefriday 4.14.2023 A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

From the second book in the San Valentino family chronicles, A KISS UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a sweet, holiday romance about mistaken identity, family, and a holiday church bazaar.

“Gia Gabriella,” Mama bellowed from the bottom of the staircase, “Andiamo, let’s go. We’re gonna be late.”

With Christmas just a few weeks away, Gia San Valentino, the baby in her large, loud, and loving Italian family, yearns for a life and home of her own with a husband and bambini she can love and spoil. The single scene doesn’t interest her, and the men her well-meaning family introduce her to aren’t exactly the happily-ever-after kind.

Tim Santini believes he’s finally found the woman for him, but Gia will take some convincing she’s that girl. A misunderstanding has her thinking he’s something he’s not.

Can a kiss stolen under the Christmas lights persuade her to spend the rest of her life with him?

Advertisement

Leave a comment

Filed under #firstlinefriday

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 21, 2023 · 12:18 am

An interview with #writer STELLA GRAE

I’ve got a brand new-to-me- author and WRP sistah here today for a visit and an interview. I’m so excited to introduce you all to STELLA GRAE. Let’s get to know her a bit and then take a glance at her new WILD ROSE PRESS book JUST CALL ME CONFIDENCE releasing March 22, 2023

Stella…take it away.

Stella –The Writer

1. What drives you to write?

For me, writing has always been cathartic. I write when something bothers me, upsets me, or when I’m trying to process something. So, writing has become almost this extension of my personality. And, I just love creating an alternate reality where I might want to live…for a just little while at least.

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

I write erotic romance, which I had never thought I’d do. When I first began writing, romance writing was at the bottom of the list. Honestly, I was very frustrated with my lack of success in other areas, so I thought, “Why not?” and the words, plot, characters—everything flowed really well. I’m very fascinated with sexuality. I will often look at people and wonder how they are sexually. I know…it’s odd, but for me, erotica is as much about the psychology as the sex.

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

I prefer romance with a dark twist. I have read and enjoyed Pepper Winters writing. I love that the characters are allowed to evolve and triumph out of dark, gritty situations.

4. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day?

I do not write every day unless I have a work-in-progress that is pulling me to it. Some weeks that means I may write every day, but usually I devote part of a weekend to writing. Since I teach, I do a lot of writing during the summer and on breaks.

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

I have devoted a corner nook in my bedroom as my writing space. The gorgeous old table that my family used when I was a kid is my desk. It’s a little cluttered, but I am essentially an organized person. I love the table because I can see the indentations in the wood that spark a lot of memories. It’s a very comfortable place for me to be mentally as well as physically.

6. 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 really like quiet. I am bothered by background noise, so I do writing in the early morning or late at night.

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

No! I honestly don’t know how people do that. I might be able to do some classical music, but usually silence is best. Now, I can be inspired to write by a song, but that’s it.

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

So, this will be an interesting answer because most authors pull some part of themselves into a work, even if it’s just their own personal fantasies. Just Call Me Confidence and its sequel, which I’m working on right now, were both born of a failed relationship. I was lonely in the relationship, but didn’t want to do anything stupid, so I created characters and situations that were based a little on reality, but twisted them to create the kind of relationship that I actually had wished I had. The relationship fizzled, but the plot sizzled, as they say.

9. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?

I’d have to say that the plot comes first, but the character and his or her conflicts will come a close second. I often think about real people and their stories—why something is the way it is, or how it could be—and can flesh out a story pretty quickly. The characters have to be spot on though for a story to click, and that’s why, for me, character development really drives that plot.

10. What 3 words describe you, the writer?

Intelligent, determined, and passionate.

Stella –The Gal

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I love to work with my hands, especially on home improvement projects. I’ve tiled a bathroom, put in flooring, installed crown molding. I even have my own saws, levels, and such.
  2. Who was your first love and what age were you? I was young—maybe first grade—and I had a crush on this boy named Greg. I just thought he was wonderful, but he only had eyes for someone else. I can’t remember why I liked him, but I do remember that by middle school I had a mild obsession with Rick Springfield.
  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…. I think I would relive the day that I was with my grandmother, brother, and other family on a train trip to the West. We were going across the Continental Divide and it was just magic—the scenery, the people I loved—I just could live that feeling of majesty over and over. It was very humbling to know, in a moment, how blessed you are.
  4. What’s one thing you love about your significant other? I absolutely love that my significant other gets me and my writing. He isn’t jealous of the time I put in to it and really lifts me up. He’s so encouraging!
  5. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it item, what would it be? Pencil and paper—I’d go crazy if I couldn’t write things down.
  6. What three words describe you, the person? Intelligent, kind, and independent. (Peggy here – loves those descriptions!)
  7. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be?  “Tide Is High” by Blondie. It’s a fun, feel-good song that Jimmy would like and I love Debbie Harry’s voice—she sings in my range, so I’d sound somewhat decent.
  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? There are so many great characters, but I think I’d hang out with Edward from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. While it’s geared toward kids, that story has one wise bunny! He makes the best of any situation and keeps himself open for love, even if it’s fleeting. I like to hike and cook, so I imagine that Edward and I would do both because he likes that independent, vagabond life. I could make some cowboy beans over a fire, build a little shanty, and we’d philosophize under the stars.

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

  1. Favorite sound I love nature sounds—birds singing, leaves blowing in the wind, little animals scurrying. It’s so peaceful and humbling.
  2. Least favorite sound Loud talkers. I cannot stand loud talkers.
  3. Best song ever written Well, I’m going to pick something suggestive because I write erotica, right? So, a song that’s always in my line up is “Physical” by that late, great Olivia Newton John. I fell in love with the Xanadu soundtrack and “Physical” is just a perfect combination of seductive lyrics and music.
  4. Worst song ever written I’d say I’ve always disliked the Carpenters—“Rainy Day and Mondays.” Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me.
  5. Favorite actor and actress George Clooney is my favorite actor; he’s always very natural, and easy on the eyes. My favorite actress is Kate Winslet. I loved her in Revolutionary Road. She seems very genuine, and I love that she embraces her age—bravo!
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) I think I’d like to be Queen Elizabeth. Can you imagine the secrets she took to her grave and the things she’s seen? I could take that information and write some great stories.  Plus, a castle, a carriage, corgis, and servants—yes, please!
  7. What turns you on? A great vocabulary and a kind heart.
  8. What turns you off? A person who is narrow minded and unkind or rude.
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) You have a stripper’s body.
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? My perfect day begins with a snowy morning in a cabin, freshly brewed coffee, and a day completely dedicated to writing. I’d see some sun later for a quick hike, then a nice fire—and more writing!

And now, here’s a little about Stella’s book:

Jenna Craig is a 40-year-old freshly-minted “hot momma” looking for a little love in her post-divorce life. After a night out with her cougar tribe, she wonders whether she’s still got “it”—the double-takes from the college clowns at the bar quickly put her doubts to rest. Though she may be alone, she knows she’ll never be lonely.

Jenna’s newfound confidence is buoyed by some swim club eye candy: Travis the lifeguard. Hot trysts in the locker room leave her wondering if she might want something more. When her naughty, new boy toy introduces her to his friend, Collin, Jenna is engulfed with waves of emotion that she thought she might never feel again. With two younger men vying for her heart, will she choose the perfect guy for right now, or the man who could give her another shot at love?

The experienced Ms. Craig is certain of one thing: She better bring the confidence to pull off the choice of her desire.

“I’m glad we’re friends, and that you think nothing of racing to my house to help me with my man woes, and my panties. But you know what I appreciate most?”

“You appreciate my sarcastic, brutally honest, down-home wit?”

“No, the fact that you don’t judge me or what I do, or don’t do. You’ve never said you think I’m acting like a whore.”

Fielding hugs me and doesn’t let go. Patting me on my back she responds, “I’ll never stoop to calling you a whore because you’re simply acting like a woman with a man’s morals.”

Get your copy here: AMAZON

Stella Grae is an unassuming English professor, copyeditor, and copywriter living in Lexington, Kentucky. She’s the author of the short story “Power Play” that was originally published in the website erotica journal Oysters and Chocolate. In her spare time she enjoys sipping on bourbon, nibbling cheesy grits, and philosophizing about love and sex in her blog, “Bone Up,” which can be found on her website: stellagraeerotica.weebly.com…along with other sexy tidbits.  This is her first erotica novel.

You can connect with Stella here:

Website: https://stellagraeerotica.weebly.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SGraeErotica

AllAuthor: https://stellagraeerotica.allauthor.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/159637845-stella-grae

Email: stellagrae@proton.me

Amazon Central Author Page:

www.amazon.com/author/stellagraeerotica

1 Comment

Filed under The Wild Rose Press, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , ,

February 10, 2023 · 3:30 am

A visit with author Jana Richards from Wild Rose Press

I adore my Wild Rose Press sisters, and Jana Richards has been a sister since the beginning of my writing journey with WRP. Today, I’m featuring her and a few of her books in the Victorian Mansion Series. Have a look….

Jana, take it away.

The Story Behind the Victorian Mansion Series

I originally wrote RESCUE ME, book 1 in my Victorian mansion series, many years ago. Like over twenty-five years ago. I submitted the story to Harlequin’s Duets, a line devoted to humorous, light-hearted love stories. Harlequin passed on RESCUE ME, and not long after, a computer crash wiped out the digital copy of the book. The last surviving copy was a printed manuscript that I’d stuffed into a box and pushed into the back of a closet.

Fast forward to 2007. I’d finally sold my first novel to a small publishing company. I’d read that offering a free book at various retailers was a good way of getting attention, but I didn’t have anything to offer. But then I remembered the completed story stuffed into a box at the back of the closet. I dug it out and wondered how I’d turn this pile of paper into an ebook.

Where there’s a will there’s a way. I took my pile of papers to my day job and fed it through a scanner. (Just to be clear, I did this after office hours.) The scanner turned the paper into a PDF, which I emailed to myself and converted into a Word document that I could revise. Because, oh boy, did it need revision. My writing had changed over the years, hopefully for the better.

I also had to come up with cover art. I couldn’t afford a cover artist, so I purchased a piece of vector art for $5 and a friend helped me put the text on it. Using software at Amazon and at Draft to Digital, I put the cover and the manuscript together and magically turned them into an ebook! I offered it free at several retailers.

That low-budget free book served me well for several years. But by 2018 I decided I needed something more. A free book isn’t terribly useful unless it leads to further sales. So I wrote a companion book to RESCUE ME called TAKE A CHANCE ON ME. Both are set in the same, somewhat shabby Victorian mansion in Toronto. This time, I commissioned a really great cover from artist Rae Monet, and it’s one of my favorites, probably because of the pug! I put the cover and buy links in the back of RESCUE ME, hoping to entice readers to buy the new book.

But I’d made a couple of fundamental flaws in my marketing. First of all, I didn’t change the cover of RESCUE ME when the new book released. It still had my homemade cover. Secondly, I wrote TAKE A CHANCE ON ME as a spicy, sexy book while RESCUE ME is a sweet romance. I reasoned that most of my other books were of the spicy variety, so it represented my writing better. Perhaps that was true, but it meant the Victorian Mansion two-book series (or duet) was uneven when it came to heat levels.

So, in 2022 I decided to do something about it. First, I commissioned a new cover for RESCUE ME. It was finally time to get a professional cover and once more Rae Monet came through. Second, and most difficult, I rewrote TAKE A CHANCE ON ME to make it a sweet romance. I found it wasn’t simply a matter of removing the sex scenes. The tone of the book had to change as well. It required a lot of work and took much longer than I’d expected.

But finally, by December of 2022, I was able to relaunch the Victorian Mansion duet with a new cover for RESCUE ME and a rewrite of TAKE A CHANCE ON ME. Both are now available on Kindle Unlimited. It’s been a long time coming!

Chelsea Andrews can’t decide who’s more dangerous—the creep on the Toronto city bus, or the handsome stranger who rescues her. Was he acting as he claimed, or is he that weird in real life? She doesn’t stick around to find out. Fate intervenes when her rescuer, out-of-work actor Matt Malone, sublets the apartment next door. Chelsea soon discovers the most dangerous thing about her charming new neighbor is the damage he’s inflicting on her heart.

Or is it? Soon after Matt moves in, strange romantic notes begin showing up at the art gallery where Chelsea works. Then she’s followed home from the bus stop late one night, and her apartment is broken into. Despite her growing feelings for Matt, all the evidence points to him as the culprit.

Matt is at a crossroads. His acting career is stalled, and all his siblings are getting married and having babies while his love life is non-existent. Something has to change. Things begin to look up for Matt when he moves next door to Chelsea. He’s totally captivated by the beautiful blonde and wants to take their relationship to the next level. But when he discovers what Chelsea suspects about him, his plans are put in jeopardy. And how can he protect her from the real stalker? 

Is Matt the kind, funny, sincere man Chelsea is falling in love with, or some kind of letter-writing stalker? She must decide whether he is a dream come true or her worst nightmare.

Here are my buy links:

Rescue Me:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008WU7FEY

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B008WU7FEY

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008WU7FEY

Teacher Darcy Ferris loves to travel almost as much as she loves her Toronto neighborhood. But no matter how far she roams, she always returns to the genteelly shabby Victorian mansion where she grew up, the last place her father lived. Darcy’s world is turned upside-down when the Victorian is slated for demolition.

Since the death of architect Nick Cummings’ mother, his father has retreated from his real estate development business, and from life. In a desperate attempt to interest him in something once more, Nick buys a beat-up Victorian mansion and draws up plans to replace it with a Victorian-inspired condo. He hopes his father’s old spark will return if he helps him build the new condo. But he doesn’t expect such opposition from his new tenant, Darcy Ferris. Nor does he expect to fall in love with her.

Nick and Darcy must come to terms with the past before they can forge a future together. And they’ll need to take the biggest chance of all – on love.

Take a Chance on Me:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KNBM8G3

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07KNBM8G3

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KNBM8G3

Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length contemporary romance, paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf (which she plays very badly) or reading (which she does much better).

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren and two senior cats named Layla and Leelou. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.com

Jana Richards’ Social media links:

Website:  https://www.janarichards.com

Blog:  https://janarichards.blogspot.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards

Amazon UK Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG

Newsletter Signup: https://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janarichards155/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

8 Comments

Filed under WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as , , , , , ,

July 4, 2022 · 5:07 am

A Pride of Brothers: Rick is now available through the #KISSapp #romanticsuspense #readingapp

I’m so incredibly excited to announce A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK is now available to read on the KISS app!

Now, you can read it anywhere you are on your phone or iPad!

You can download the app link here: KISS, then access my book by typing in my name as AUTHOR or the title of the book, A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK.

KISS is a new and exciting way to experience Romance stories of all genres.

Enjoy serialized quality content from NYT and USA Today bestselling authors, available right from your phone!

KISS has hundreds of titles and authors to choose from, including new and exclusive content from some of your favorite voices!

Best of all? You can choose just how much to read with our pay-as-you-go format! 

Hope you’re intrigued!!

5 Comments

Filed under A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: RICK

Tagged as , , , , , ,

April 1, 2022 · 10:17 am

A PRIDE OF BROTHERS: AIDEN is up for BEST BOOK of the month over on Long and Short Reviews! Please vote for it!!!

I hate asking ( well, maybe not so much! hee hee) But I could use your help. AS the title suggests, the book is up until tomorrow for voting, so if you have a moment and the inclination to do so, here’s the link: VOTE

THANKS, OODLES!!!! Peg

2 Comments

Filed under Writing

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

March 7, 2022 · 2:00 am

New release from Award-winning author Judith Sterling – The Spear Alight (Book 4 in the Guardians of Erin)

It’s always a fun day when one of my Wild Rose Press sistahs comes to visit. Today I have Award Winning author Judith Sterling on the blog. She has a brand new addition to her GUARDIANS OF ERIN series, THE SPEAR ALIGHT which dropped today!!! I’m so tickled she stopped by to let us know a little about the book.

So without further adieu….. Here’s Judith!

The Spear Alight (Guardians of Erin, Book Four)

By Judith Sterling

Ashling Donoghue has almost lost hope of finding her missing parents. As her faith wanes, her love for two men waxes, rending her heart and causing friction in the Breasal household. The time has come to make a choice, to create a future untarnished by doubt. But how can she embrace the light when lured by the soft seduction of shadow? 

At last, her brother Conall channels the Spear of Illumination. He’s a natural shapeshifter, and he sees through illusions in both the material world and the Otherworld…not a moment too soon. An ancient evil has surfaced, and it threatens all worlds.

Only the Donoghues can save Ireland. They must face their greatest fears and act as one to fulfill their destinies as guardians of Erin.

Freeing my hand, Kian grinned. “Welcome to the fourteenth century.”

            I lifted my gaze to the top half of the stone keep. A shuttered window caught my attention. Aengus is there.

            Hugh had given us a good idea of where to go, but how I determined his son’s precise location, I can’t say. Maybe I knew because I needed to know. Or maybe our souls were bonded in a way that defied all logic.

            I pointed to the window. “Up there, right in the middle. Let’s jump up and go through the wall.”

            We leapt into the air and paused at the third-floor level. Like ghosts, we floated through stone and entered the medieval bedroom. Then we lowered ourselves until our feet touched the plank floor. Tapestries, oak furniture, and a crackling fire on the hearth made the chamber feel homey and inviting.

            “Awesome,” Kian breathed.

            Aengus’s sleeping form drew my gaze. He lay on his back, with his bare and beautifully sculpted arms and chest visible above the fur coverlet. His golden hair was longer, touching his shoulders. I couldn’t look away.

            Fortunately, my brother could. “I think the manuscript is over there.” He went to investigate.

            I crept toward the bed. Aengus. I’m so sorry. I love you. Compelled beyond rhyme or reason, I leaned over and pressed my lips to his.

            I’d intended a quick kiss, but my mouth lingered, savoring an experience it might never have again. His lips were softened by sleep; his breath was warm with a trace of spices. Mulled wine? Maybe.

            “Ash, I got it. We have to go.” Kian waited close by.

            Regretfully, I ended the kiss and straightened. I’ll always love you.

            Aengus stirred beneath the covers. “Caer,” he murmured. His eyes opened.

            Crap! Any second, he might shift into the Otherworld and see me. I seized my brother’s hand as Aengus sat up in bed. “Hurry, Kian!”

            The next instant, the room was quiet. The Otherworld twilight remained, as did the medieval furnishings, but the fire and the man were absent.

            A sense of loss swept through me. “Funny how empty a room can seem.”

            “I’m sorry, Ash.” Kian squeezed my hand, then released it. “It’ll be okay.”

            I turned to him. “Will it?”

Buy Links

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PJXRS59

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Alight-Guardians-Erin-Book-ebook/dp/B09PJXRS59

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Spear-Alight-Guardians-Erin-Book-ebook/dp/B09PJXRS59

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09PJXRS59

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spear-alight-judith-sterling/1140834499

Apple Books https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-spear-alight/id1602045174

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60176927-the-spear-alight

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-spear-alight-guardians-of-erin-book-4-by-judith-sterling

Judith Sterling is an award-winning author whose love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Whether penning medieval romance (The Novels of Ravenwood) or young adult paranormal fantasy (the Guardians of Erin series), her favorite themes include true love, destiny, time travel, healing, redemption, and finding the hidden magic which exists all around us. She loves to share that magic with readers and whisk them far away from their troubles, particularly to locations in the British Isles.

Her nonfiction books, written under Judith Marshall, have been translated into multiple languages. She has an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies. Born in that sauna called Florida, she craved cooler climes, and once the travel bug bit, she lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband and their identical twin sons.

Social Media Links

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling

BookBub –  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judith-sterling

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MT3KB7L

The Wild Rose Press – https://www.thewildrosepress.com/bookauthor/judith-sterling

16 Comments

Filed under Writing

Tagged as , , ,

January 14, 2022 · 12:21 am

Photo of the day, day 14

in 2021 I did a weekly post called #mugshotmonday because I have sososo many mugs. This one, though, is among my favs.

First of all it’s a 24 ouncer so I can have 2 cups of whatever at a time. That’s the glutton in me.

But second and mostly, it really epitomizes my motto for the last few years, ever since I got my first book published by The Wild Rose Press.

Never give up on a dream, kids, because you don’t know who’s listening to it and who wants to make it come true for you.

2 Comments

Filed under year in photos

Tagged as , , , , ,

October 18, 2021 · 12:00 am

It’s release day for Julie Howards’ The Three Widows of Wylder!

My Wild Rose Press sistah, Julie Howard, is part of the new WYLDER WEST series from the publisher and today her addition, THE THREE WIDOWS OF WYLDER releases. Julie sat down with me recently for an interview, so sit back and learn more about this talented writer. Then stick around for a glimpse into the Wylder West territory!

Julie, The Writer

1. What drives you to write?

It’s always about the story for me. I love to read compelling stories and getting swept up in a different world. I’ve always wanted to do the same for others. Plus, it’s tremendous fun to create characters and an intriguing plot – I live in a bit of make-believe nearly every day.

2. What genre(s) of Romance do you write, and why?

I always have a touch of romance in the books I write. I’ve written mysteries, paranormal mysteries and historical fiction. My books are mainly about the women who are the main characters and their personal journey – and there always seems to be a man in the picture.

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

I enjoy a variety of genres, from historical fiction to mysteries to science fiction. I’m a sucker for a good story and good storytelling whatever the genre may be.

4. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day?

I write nearly every day, primarily in the mornings but sometimes I end up at my computer for most of the day and into the night.

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

I set up an office upstairs but that felt too secluded. Now I work at my dining room table, which works very well since it’s big and I have room to spread out. I also can see out the front window and can watch the world go by. I love seeing neighbors out and about with their children and dogs. Of course, I’m closer to the kitchen downstairs so that’s handy if I want that third cup of coffee.

6. 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 tunnel-vision?

I like a bit of bustle around me while I write, and can tune it in or out pretty well. I don’t mean noise or loud music – but I like hearing other people around.

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

I generally don’t listen to music since it tends to influence my mood and that, in turn, impacts what I’m writing in a scene.

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

When I heard my publisher was launching a new series set in the old American West, my story came almost immediately. I already had an idea about three widows with secrets, but wasn’t entirely sure what their plot would be. When I thought about them being in the Old West, I knew immediately what my story was. I wrote the synopsis within 24 hours of hearing about the series.

9. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?

That’s a great question. They tend to arrive together, but perhaps the character has a slight edge. For this current story, the three main characters were there first for me and I had to figure out: What would these three women do?

10. What 3 words describe you, the writer?

Creative, obsessed, prolific

Julie, the Gal

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!

I started kindergarten when I was three.

  1. Who was your first love and what age were you?

I was in third grade and there was the cutest boy! Of course, he wasn’t enamored of girls then, but when we were in high school, he asked me out. It was a bit of a letdown, though he was still very cute.

  1. If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and….

Nearly any day when my kids were preschool age. I’d love to relive a moment in time again when they were little. I know it could get old if that’s all I had forever, but they were so darn cute!

  1. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it item, what would it be? Hmmm, I can’t live without coffee so I’d give up a coffee maker. That would leave me with three others. Seriously. I have a coffee maker that uses ground beans, one that has an internal grinder, an espresso maker, and a French press.
  2. What three words describe you, the person?

Kind, determined, loyal.

  1. If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? Emma by Jane Austen. I’d love to have tea and a bit of gossip about the neighborhood.

Bonus round

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

  1. Favorite sound: Children laughing
  2. Least favorite sound: Power tools
  3. Best song every written: Imagine
  4. Favorite actor and actress: Jude Law and Judy Dench
  5. What turns you on? Kindness
  6. What turns you off? Meanness
  7. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) “It’s bigger than you think.”
  8. What’s your version of a perfect day?

Such a tough question since there are so many things I’d want to do! I suppose I’d start off rising very early and enjoying the quiet with a cup of coffee while the sun came up. Then a few hours of writing, a long cycle by the river, a short walk in the nearby mountains, and then a big family dinner on the patio.

And now… THE THREE WIDOWS OF WYLDER

Three women on the run.

After the death of her husband, Clara flees a hanging judge and seeks refuge with her brother in Wylder, Wyoming.

With secrets of her own and good reasons to flee, spoiled and vain Mary Rose joins Clara on the trek to Wyoming. Surely a suitable man exists somewhere.

Emma is a mystery. A crack shot and expert horsewoman, her harrowing past seeps out in a steady drip. She’s on the run from something, but what?

After the three women descend on Wylder, a budding romance leads to exposure of their pasts. As disaster looms, will any of them escape?

Emma stood, legs apart, one hand on the pistol at her hip. The covered wagon was the type used years ago by pioneers, before trains tamed the prairie, and they still lumbered across areas where tracks hadn’t been laid. Two women sat side-by-side, too focused on their argument to yet notice the camp they entered. Their one horse, overmatched by the heavy wagon, was damp with sweat, its mouth flecked with froth.

“We should have stayed on the main road.” The peevish one appeared much younger, curly gold hair topped by a large straw hat. She wore a light-yellow dress with lace at her wrists and throat, a perfectly inadequate outfit for travel. “Someone could have provided directions.”

The older woman had finely-drawn features, a few strands of gray threaded through her dark, uncovered hair. Dressed in sensible blue calico, she gripped the reins too tight and the poor horse gave a pathetic shake of its head. “The whole point was to avoid people,” she sniped.

Emma strode forward and seized the reins. “For God’s sake, you’re killing him.”

The two women gaped as though at an apparition. The horse, released from harsh hands, lowered its head and halted. Its sides heaved as flies drank at its sweaty flanks.

“Whomever let you two fools handle a horse should be whipped.” Tempted to dispatch the women to hell for their cruelty, Emma rested her hand on the pistol’s handle.

They two travelers spoke in tandem. “Who are you?” and “How dare you call me a fool.”

As Emma crooned into in the horse’s ear, her expert fingers undid the buckles at its shoulders and haunches. By the time the older of the two women climbed to the ground, the horse was unhitched and Emma led it to the creek.

“That’s our horse,” cried the one in yellow. “Clara, what is that insane girl doing? She’s stealing him.”

Emma halted, shoulders stiff. She turned and pointed the pistol at the one with lace at her throat. “I’m no horse thief.” She cocked the hammer. “Apologize.”

Get your copy here:

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Widows-Wylder-West-ebook/

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-three-widows-of-wylder/id1585169665

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-three-widows-of-wylder-julie-howard/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-three-widows-of-wylder-the-wylder-west-by-julie-howard

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58903448-the-three-widows-of-wylder

Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime mystery series and Spirited Quest paranormal mystery series. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild and editor of the Potato Soup Journal. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.

Website: http://juliemhoward.com

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward

Thanks for stopping by today, Julie. Happy release day and keep on writing! ~ Peg

2 Comments

Filed under WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as , , , ,

September 27, 2021 · 12:00 am

Release day for UNEXPECTED, book 3 in the Masonville series by Jana Richards

One of my Wild Rose sistahs, Jana Richards, has a new book out today – book 3 in the Masonville Series, titled UNEXPECTED.

Here’s a bit about it:

Tagline: A marriage of convenience. An unexpected love.

Single dad Ben Greyson wants only to retain custody of his two stepdaughters. A dysfunctional childhood has made family the most important thing in his life. When his late wife’s parents sue for custody, a desperate Ben is left with two choices – run away with his girls or marry his next-door neighbor.

Jamie Garven wants to be a mother. She’s intrigued by her handsome new neighbor and falls in love with his little girls. Then Ben is faced with losing his children, and Jamie agrees to marry him for a chance at motherhood. They’re determined to show the world, and the girls’ grandparents, two loving parents. Their marriage of convenience turns into unexpected love. But Ben interprets Jamie’s efforts to save their family as betrayal—they could lose everything, including each other.

“Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind about running away?”

“Say you’ll marry me.”

The words were out of his mouth before he knew he was going to say them. Jamie stared at him, eyes wide.

“What?”

“Marry me. You’re the only woman I’d trust with my girls.”

It suddenly made sense. If Jamie married him he could keep his kids.

She jumped to her feet, waking one of the dogs who’d been sleeping on the couch next to her. “What kind of marriage do you want, Ben? Are you proposing something for show?”

“No! I don’t know!” He stood and grasped her arms. “If you’re asking me if we’ll sleep together as man and wife, I don’t know.”

Her mouth twisted as if she was holding back tears. “You know I love the girls, but please don’t ask me to pretend. The last few months of my marriage, all I did was pretend. I pretended I had a husband who loved me. I swore I’d never do that again.”

Ben wanted to take her in his arms and hold her. He hated doing this to her, hated making her relive unhappy memories. He was asking too much of her and he didn’t blame her for saying no.

“Please, forget I said anything.”

He’d stick to his original plan. He and the girls would disappear. He’d change their names, go someplace where no one knew them. A life on the run wasn’t what he wanted for his children, but he’d do whatever he needed to do to keep them.

“Ben—”

“I’m sorry, Jamie.”

Ben was out the door before he could hear anymore of her objections.

Get your copy here:

Amazon  ~  B & N  ~  iBooks

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. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.janarichards.com

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://www.janarichards.com

Blog:  http://janarichards.blogspot.com

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

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

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards

Amazon UK Author Page:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG

Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

10 Comments

Filed under WIld Rose Press AUthor

Tagged as , ,

September 24, 2021 · 3:00 am

An Interview with Author CJ Bahr…

I say this a lot, but it’s always true: I love introducing you all to my Wild Rose Press Sistahs. Today, I’ve got sistah CJBahr visiting and she’s telling us all about herself and her newest release, REDEEMED BY FIRE which dropped on 9.20.2021. Take a few minutes and read about this talented author then read about the book – it’s sure to whet your reading appetite!

CJ -the Author

1. What drives you to write?

My love or reading and my imagination. So many ideas and characters bouncing around inside my head.

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

I write paranormal romance, supernatural suspense and urban fantasy. I guess I like a little danger and darkness with my magic. I want to write a story that drags my reader inside and give them some thrills and chills while getting to the HEA.

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

Ha, all of them! I definitely read what I write, to stay in top form for myself. But I primarily read to escape reality. I do love a good historical or regency romance along with my paranormal reads. Lately, and I’m not quite sure why, I’ve been reading a lot of Billionaire and Hockey romances.

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

I try to write everyday, but it depends on my day job if it interferes. I don’t have a schedule, I write when convenient and when inspiration strikes.

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

I write where my laptop travels. Lately I’ve been writing while on the couch with my ever ready, cuddling assistant, Liam, my tuxedo cat. Though lately he hasn’t been so helpful since he starts out next to me and then slowly over time, oozes onto my keyboard!

6. 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 tunnel-vision?

I prefer quiet (people wise) while listening to instrumental movie/tv soundtracks. If loud talking people, like in a coffee shop, surround me I’ll put on headphones and turn the music up so I can concentrate.

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

As mentioned above, yes I definitely listen to music when I write. No lyrics. Singing distracts me. Listening to movie/tv instrumental soundtracks, I “score” my scenes I’m writing. For instance, if I’m writing an action sequence I might listen to “The Italian Job” or “Transformers”.

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

My Fire Chronicles series are standalones though they have an interconnecting link of seven Archangels. In book 3, Redeemed By Fire, the Archangel Gabriel presides. His horn has gone missing. Knowing that music plays an important part to the plot, there really was only one place to set it—New Orleans. From there, I came up with the supernatural serial killer who stole the horn, came up with a heroine who is set up to be the next victim. After that, it was obvious my hero would be a homicide Detective in the NOPD.

9. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?

Usual a character comes first. In fact, in book 1, Walking Through Fire, came to me in a dream. There was a Scottish highlander chained to a cave wall as the tide swept in. I have no idea why I dreamt it, but I decided I wanted to know who the man was and why he’d drown in the cave.

10. What 3 words describe you, the writer?

Tenacious, Cinematic, Romantic.

CJ- the Gal

1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!

I love single malt scotch. I learned to admire it while traveling in Scotland. I’ve amused several men, while ordering it at a bar.

2. Who was your first love and what age were you?

My first love was more of a crush. Joe, my cute, surfer, next door, neighbor. I believe I was 14 or 15 at the time.

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….

The day I rode a Welsh Cob across the “Roof of Wales”. A truly amazing day.

4. What’s one thing you love about your significant other?

Sadly, I’ve never married and currently aren’t seeing anyone.

5. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it item, what would it be?

Chocolate cake.

6. What three words describe you, the person?

Loyal, Supportive, Perfectionist.

7. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be?

“Paperback Writer” by the Beatles. Peggy here – OMG that’s one of my fav songs of all time!!!!

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?

Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher’s series, The Dresden Files. Harry has an amazing sense of humor and is listed as a wizard for hire in the Chicago phone book. I’d take him out for drinks and have him tell me about his adventures. Normally I’d love to tag along to solve a case with him, but things get pretty dicey around him, so just hanging with him would probably be the safest.

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

  1. Favorite sound — a cat purring
  2. Least favorite sound — finger nails on a chalk board
  3. Best song every written — “Imagine” by John Lennon
  4. Worst song ever written — “1 800 Cars For Kids”
  5. Favorite actor — Iaon Gruffudd
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) — Sherlock Holmes. I’d love to be that smart and clever.
  7. What turns you on? — A man who can make me laugh.
  8. What turns you off? — Selfishness
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) — Do you have a sister?
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? — Waking up late, staying in pj’s, then inviting friends over in their pj’s to play “Cards Against Humanity” and laughing our asses off.

New Orleans, hot sultry nights, and an ancient evil who makes the French Quarter home.

Blurb:

Cassanne Thomas returns to New Orleans to start her life over and becomes the target of a supernatural serial killer. Escaping her close call with death, Casi is the only witness to the crime and finds herself placed in protected custody by a handsome Cajun detective. But with her dark, troubled past, trusting the police is the last thing she wants to do.

Detective Lucas Avery, the top homicide detective in NOLA, is unaware of the supernatural world surrounding him. With the killer stalking the streets, he vows to shield the beautiful, enigmatic, Casi with his life while fighting his growing attraction to her. He’s been burned before.

Danger chases Lucas and Casi from the streets of the French Quarter to the wilds of the bayou. Will they be able to stop a monster, straight out of a nightmare or become victims themselves?

Casi screamed and covered her ears, though too late. The loud boom made her ears ring. Who was shooting at them? She tried to see, but Luc’s weight had her effectively pinned. Squealing tires along with a string of Cajun curses from Luc, had Casi guessing the shooter had fled.

Luc holstered his weapon when Casi spotted the blood dripping off his arm.

“Oh my God!” She pushed at him. “Let me up. You’re hurt. You’re bleeding!”

Luc rolled off her and did as she asked, while gripping his thigh with both hands. Her gaze left his arm drawn to the blood oozing out between his fingers. The thigh wound appeared much more serious. She tugged her phone out and quickly dialed 911. But before it connected, Luc’s bloody fingers grabbed her phone and disconnected the call.

“We can’t call this in.” Luc exhaled harshly and gritted his teeth as once again, he applied pressure to his leg.

“You’re shot. You’re bleeding from multiple places. We need an ambulance!”

He shook his head. “Can’t. We need to leave. Now.”

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG6JX5T/

B&N: https://tinyurl.com/273fhhtc

iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/wctyc9xa

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/3v6mcsn7

BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/vrxs8nbp

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/3yaVMe

First published in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “Sword & Sorceress” anthology, C J was bitten by the writer’s bug and hasn’t stopped since. The Wild Rose Press published her award-winning first novel, “Walking Through Fire”— a Scottish ghost romance. She is currently working on the fourth book in the interconnected standalone series, The Fire Chronicles, as well as a new Urban Fantasy starring a kick-ass Time Enforcer.

When her pen isn’t scribing, you can find her busily cutting and tracking music for film and television.  With over thirty years of music editing experience, her credits range from “Northern Exposure” and “The Muppets Christmas Carol”, to “The Kill Point”, “The Following”, and ABC’s hit comedy, “The Middle”.

In her downtime, you’ll find her curled up with a cup of tea, her cats and a great book in Tarzana, California.

FInd CJ Here:

Website/Newsletter:  https://cjbahr.com

Twitter: @cjbahr  https://twitter.com/cjbahr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bahrcj

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjbahr.author/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828572.C_J_Bahr

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-j-bahr

Amazon Author: https://tinyurl.com/y7jmpqdg

Peggy here: thanks, CJ, for stopping by today.

4 Comments

Filed under Writing

Tagged as , , , ,