Valentine's has come and gone. You may still be single but have made a resolution to do something about it.
There is help out there: Professional dating counselors give dating advice and look for a partner for your love life like headhunters for professionals.
First Coast Living featured me, the former Matchmaker from Ireland on 6 February '14 on their program.
Why is it so difficult to meet somebody these days? With a busy life and time restrictions on their hands, many viewers had this and other questions for me. Honestly, they keep popping up as they did in Dublin where I had my agency:
- Where are all the good men?
- Where do you go once you are over 40?
- How safe is online dating?
- Why do people lie online?
- Where is my soul mate?
- How do I know that men don't just want a hook up for the night? etc.
TV segments are notoriously short (3-5minutes usually), so it's impossible to answer all these questions. My book Next Time Lucky:How to Find Your Mr. Right offers many answers and the new step by step guide gives invaluable information about how to get back into the dating game, especially when you're over 40 and coming out of a long relationship.
Available on Kindle and Nook too, it's just the price of a cup of coffee and has longer staying power and more entertainment value.
See the reviews on my site and trust the experience and advice of Ireland's former Chief Cupid.
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Not exactly...
Ok giving myself less than a month to edit that book I was working on until I'm comfortable with putting it away for awhile wasn't long enough. Close there, looking at what I have left to polish on it, I should be satisfied with my new draft of The Illumination Query in less than 4 days.
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It takes a great deal of courage to submit a manuscript for possible publication. Many writers spend months, even years, putting down on paper what they feel will be, if not the Great American Novel, then at least a darn good one. They look back with pleasure on the long hours of pounding the keyboard in producing that first draft. With less excitement they recall the grueling days and nights editing that first attempt into something they hope will be presentable in the marketplace.
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Along with the rest of my books, A patient in time: Jojutsu is an at times riveting, at others difficult and at still yet others colourful mix of short stories (parables) and frivolousies taken from difficult moments in my life, and ripped to the page for all to see. Also concerns my (beginning) investigations into martial arts on the web.
In pursuit of the goal of excellence, A Patient in Time: Jojutsu is divided into two parts. The first, is mostly a collection of stories and self driven narrative. Eclectic as it is deep, this section of the book also introduces the reader both into my writing style, and my (via my protagonist Jojo) way of living.It is from this that the second half of the book takes its manifest. Jojutsu is a style like none before it. Also chistened by the author is ‘Fa chi dao’ or weak monkey style, this is a movement of fingers and hands. Chests and necks. It is about submission over resistance and compliance over combat. But most of all it is calling to draw from a strength within, described by stories and ideas, to beat the enemy and stand triumphant! But most of all it is a journey, started many years before this book was written and finished many years after. So this is a moment. Some ideas, some discipline, nothing less nothing more. Enjoy.
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Jojo's Amazing Adventure is a collection of original short stories with inspirations broad and vast. Ranging from Chinese, Hindu and Muslim myths, to more modern inventions closer to home. Jojo the protagonist here within, is sometimes portrayed as a villain, at others a hero. It is up to you the reader to ultimately decide which box you wish to place him!
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Meet Author Luna Charles the author on the cover of the very first issue of our very own Author's Info Magazine - September 2013 Issue.
The premiere issue this September of the Author's Info Magazine is presenting to you Luna Charles as author of the month. This hard working mother and wife is new to Arthur's info however she has created a fan club and blogs regularly on the site. Luna is very busy with 2 books published, a third book coming and plans to release a new short story as an eBook each month for free in her Author's Info fan club.
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For the full review please see my blog article at http://richardabbott.authorsxpress.com/2013/08/20/review-across-the-waters-of-time-pliny-remembered/ - these are short extracts taken from the full article highlighting the main points.
I came away from Ken Parejko’s Across the Waters of Time: Pliny Remembered with very mixed feelings. On the plus side – and these are very large plus features – this is a beautifully conceived book, with a powerful and compelling imaginative sweep and some marvellously lyrical passages of writing. The presentation of Pliny’s interior thought-world, and its evolution through his lifetime, is splendid, and the historical events Ken chooses to illuminate this come over as pivotal to Pliny, and in some cases centrally important to the entire first century AD. It is a book which can be highly recommended in these grounds alone.
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Mark Christensen’s, new novel, “11th Commandment” has been released and is available through bookstores as well as Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. Mark will be doing book signings and speaking engagements in his 500 city USA book tour. His novel has been nominated for 2013 Pulitzer Prize!
11th Commandment is a poignant and powerful exploration of the tragedies wrought by the victimization and abuse of children. Drawing the reader with insight and dead-on observation of the atrocious tragedy of child abuse committed daily by American Adults, no one will close its pages without an impression of the devastation suffered by so many of our children. It will be the readers who will champion for The 11th Commandment, “Honor Thy Children,” be etched into every bible printed.
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I just want to say a few words about Faith Sullivan. Usually this is not the norm for me but I feel like I have to share with my readers why I love Faith Sullivan's writing. The first book I ever read from Faith was Unexpected. Unexpected is a story about a girl who is in New York attending college when 9/11 happens. I have to say that I laughed and I cried while reading this book.Faith knows how to write a story like no one's business. She catches you right from the first page and keeps you riveted to the end needing more like you need air to breathe. I am so proud of Faith. She has written so many books and with each book I read from her I beam like a proud mother because she keeps getting better and better! So Faith I want to say I am so proud of you and please keep writing because I need more Eric's and Adam's in my life!
Synopsis:
How do you survive the internship from hell?
Don't fall in love.
Ivy thought being a reporter-in-training at the Independent Gazette would be her dream summer job. Little did she know, interviewing Eric, a landscaper with a heart of gold, would derail her plans. It turns out Ivy's boss, Lauren, has been eyeing his chiseled physique for quite some time.
But at twenty-four, Eric already has a tragic past, one that he is still reeling from. Even though his ordeal turned him into some sort of local celebrity, it's been a while since he's shared his bed with anyone. When he comes to Ivy's rescue out of the blue, it's not long before the two of them start seeing each other behind Lauren's back. When they get caught, Ivy's journey toward a college degree is jeopardized and her relationship with Eric is severely put to the test.
Career versus love? In the end, a shocking turn of events provides Ivy with a revelation she never saw coming.
Goodreads:
My Review
5 of 5 Eric Young
Take Me Now..... where to begin my review...... lord knows I have been through this before with Faith's books. I love how she can pull you in and then rip your heart right out. The push and pull of the characters always has me screaming or crying or just plain out shocked by their behavior and Take Me Now is no exception! I mean it took me a few days to read it because I have been having more migraines so my reading has slowed down but Boy oh Boy did I cry and then I laughed and then I screamed to only get to the ending and say what in the hell!!!!!!!!!
Ivy is finishing up her semester before summer break. She needs to do her internship and she has no idea where she is going to do her internship until her best Ryan tells her she can intern for his step sisters newspaper. Ivy is so excited she could not be more happy because Ryan has come through for her and she is determined to make him proud. But when she reaches her new job she is greeted by a boss from hell. Ryan forgot to tell Ivy that his stepsister Lauren was a real live b$%^#.
Ivy's first assignment is to get the low down on a recluse business owner for Lauren. Lauren wants to know everything about him because she wants this man and she will stop at nothing to get him. As soon as Ivy starts out on her errands for Lauren she finds herself staring right into the eyes of her crush Will. She has to work with Will and she is not so sure she can do it because Will has been her crush her whole entire life and she has never dated anyone because she has waited for Will to notice her. But once again Will does what he does best and that is flat out ignores her and uses her when it is needed.
Ivy has finally seen the light and has decided that she is better off without Will in her life. So next stop Mr. Recluse and when her car breaks down and she walks the back roads for a few miles and stumbles upon Mr. Recluse she can see why Lauren wants him for herself. As Ivy and Mr. Recluse whose name is Eric get closer things start to go from bad to worse for Ivy and Eric. Lauren is determined to have him and Ryan is determined to have Ivy at any cost. What happens in this story is nothing short of amazing! I loved all the characters even the bad ones. So I am dying to see what happens in book two. Faith I need it like I need air to breathe!!!!!!!!!!
Author Bio:
About Me:
I really hate talking about myself. My goal is to have the shortest author bio imaginable. I would much rather have a conversation with my readers.
Are you able to escape within my pages?
Does my writing make you feel something?
Are there characters that you can't get out of your head?
Let me know!
Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter at @_FaithSullivan_
Random Things about Me
- I was so much smarter as a teenager.
- I am a slow reader.
- I tend to like a book more for its characters than its plot.
- I appreciate people who are genuinely kind and come through when you need them.
- It's true, creative people are not always fun to live with, but we keep things interesting.
- I miss the days when all I had was a rotary phone without even an answering machine.
- I'm a child of the 1980s, and a teenager of the 1990s.
- I love my dog.
- I love to travel and see new places - when my limited budget allows.
- I think in another lifetime I lived in the UK somewhere by the coast.
- When I feel an emotion, I feel it deeply. It's a curse.
- I have an overactive imagination. Writing helps alleviate that problem.
- Nine times out of ten, I believe a good book trumps reality hands down.
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Book: Spark
Author: Brooke Cumberland
Genre: New Adult/Romance/Erotica/Contemporary
Release date: August 13, 2013
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
When your past controls your future, how do you move forward? Velaney Wills knows about that all too well. Weak, powerless, and fearing the one person who has hurt her the most…can she overcome the barriers to move forward?
Being saved by a muscled Godsend was never on her agenda, but when firefighter, Eric Reilley comes into her life unexpectedly, everything changes. Velaney has never felt loved or cared for, and her past prevents her from letting anyone in. Eric manages to break down her walls – despite the repercussions that come for them afterwards.
They have an undeniable spark – something she has never felt before, but will it be enough? Can love overcome all obstacles? Can they save each other to protect their love or will her past shatter everything she never knew she needed…?
**Spark is for mature audiences only – strong language, explicit sexual content, and sexual abuse are apparent.**
Brooke is a midwestern gal, from the cheese state of Wisconsin! Go Packers! She's a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children (one daughter & two stepsons) and a black fury dog. She's studied psychology in college, and counseling and education in graduate school where she found her love for writing. Most days you can find her reading or writing, or just hanging out with her family! She loves movies, cooking, and shopping! She's addicted to Starbucks, Coach purses, and wearing yoga pants.
The shower feels absolutely amazing. The cold water hits my face washing all the dirt and ash off of me. I rinse my hair, washing it twice to make sure the smell is gone. I scrub my face getting the ash out of my pores. I stay an extra ten minutes just letting the water run off me.
Finally, I get out and grab a towel. Oh crap, wouldn’t you know, no towel. That was the downside to working on laundry day. I peek out my bedroom door and call out to Carissa, “Riss! Can you bring me a towel?” I’m shivering from the windows being left open blowing air right over my bare skin. “Riss!” Ugh, she’s not answering.
I peek out and see she’s nowhere to be found. Oh, what the heck. I tiptoe down the hall and across the living room. Our rooms are on opposite sides of the apartment, which benefits me greatly when she brings guy friends over. We had our own bathrooms as well, leaving little to argue about. “Where the heck are you…son of a—” I quickly cover my parts with my freezing cold hands as I hear him laugh.
“Turn around!” I demand. He continues laughing as the blood drains from my face completely. My face is pale, and I could die right now. Literally die. “Sorry, didn’t mean to disturb ya there.” The southern tone comes from his sweet lips. Eric. He blinks several times before finally covering his eyes. Oh holy balls, he just saw me naked. Butt naked. And wet.
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Synopsis:
When you’re acting the role of a lifetime, how can you know if love is real—or all just a part of the show?
Twenty-three year old rising theater star Jill McCormick has built a life out of pretending. Pretending she’s happy, pretending her long-distance crushes add up to something real, pretending she’s not haunted by the dark secret that shattered her world six years ago. Cast in her first Broadway show, she desperately needs to keep her façade intact, but that’s before she comes face to face with her devastating new boss…
Hot-shot director Davis Milo knows the first rule of directing: never fall for your leading lady. Captivated by Jill’s raw talent, he fights his feelings, but watching Jill on-stage with another man is more than his jealous streak can take. Keeping things professional isn’t an option. He wants all of her.
Soon the ingénue and her director are staying late in the empty theater, their private rehearsals spiraling into new, forbidden territory. Caught up between fiction and reality, Jill struggles to find the truth in all their staged kisses. But how can she be sure that what she feels is real, and not a part of the play? And when two people spend their lives pretending, what happens after the final curtain falls?
Goodreads:
EXCERPT:
He glances down at the black pumps. “Nice shoes.”
As I follow his eyes, I realize my hand is on his shirt, my fingers
fisted around the cloth, clutching it. I should let go. But I don’t.
Because I can’t help but notice he has that clean and freshly showered
smell that makes any woman want to lean in and lick a guy’s neck.
Close her eyes. Inhale, and trail a tongue all the way to his
earlobe, enjoying the sound of a low groan.
“Nice shirt,” I say softly, running my index finger across one smooth
button. Then I look up to find him staring down at me. His dark blue
eyes aren’t cold anymore. They’re not keeping me at bay. Instead,
they’re heated, searching mine.
It’s hypnotic the way he looks at me. Completely hypnotic, as the
room goes quiet, the air between us charged.
I press my teeth against my lips, and I think, but I’m not entirely
sure, because thought has vanished, that I nod briefly, almost as if
I’m giving him permission. Then he bends towards me, and my breath
catches. Before I even process rationally what’s happening, his lips
are on mine, and my pulse is racing.
It’s a barely there kiss, just
him brushing his soft lips against mine, but I want more. So I pull
him closer and deepen the kiss. He groans, and then suddenly his hands
are in my hair, and he’s twining his fingers through my long, blond
strands, and tugging me close.
I thought I was leading this kiss, but
I’m not anymore, because he’s claiming me, tracing his tongue across
my top lip, then nipping at the bottom lip, then kissing me so deeply
and with so much heat that I shudder..
That only makes him kiss me
harder, and everything else falls away because this is a kiss I can
feel in every single cell in my body. Deep, and fevered and
possessive.
It makes me feel things I’m not supposed to want.
My heart pounds wildly as he presses closer, so dangerously near to
me that I want him to slam me against him. Let him touch me all over.
His lips own me, his hands want to know me, and I swear I might
combust from this kind of electric contact.
He breaks the kiss and I’m not honestly sure where I am anymore. Or
who I am. I look at him, at Davis, but everything is so hazy right
now, that I don’t know what to say. I don’t think he does either,
because he doesn’t speak for a moment. He shakes his head, and
swallows, collecting himself. As if he doesn’t know how that happened
either.
“I’m sorry,” he says, then steps back, pushing his hand roughly
through his hair. He looks away from me, staring at some distant point
on the wall. “That was a mistake,” he says quietly.
About The Author:
Lauren Blakely is an unabashed fan of clever jokes, toast, and good guys in novels. Like the heroine in CAUGHT UP IN US, she thinks life should be filled with movie kisses and coffee drinks. Lauren lives in California with her husband and children, and spends her days writing both true stories and make-believe ones.
Links:
Website:
Blog:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Goodreads:
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Synopsis:
Gabrielle Willis is smart. She's funny. And oh yes, she's a bit klutzy.
When Gabrielle left sunny California bound for the energy of Manhattan, she was willingly leaving the life she had known for the new life she would create. But was she really leaving something behind or was she running away?
On the outside, Gabrielle Willis has it all under control. A new life in Manhattan, a great roommate, and a good job. But she is haunted. Haunted by a memory she's tried to forget and by a family who's abandoned her. But what happens when what's on the outside is only an illusion and in perfect contradiction to what's buried deep within?
Enter Dane Rhodes. He's gorgeous, smart, and sexy as hell. Just what Gabby wants, or so she thinks. But when she meets Brad Dixon, the sweet guy with the crooked smile, he begins to make her see that the very thing she is trying to run from is the very thing that just may push her to see the light.
**New Adult Contemporary Romance. Due to language & sexual content, this book is recommended for readers 17 & older**
Purchase:
Amazon:
B&N:
About Author:
Beth Michele (pen name for Beth Michele Luciano)
Beth Michele is a wife, a mom, an author and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. While stuffing chocolate in her face, she enjoys reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with her husband and two adorable children who keep her on her peppermint pink painted toes. Those same children who inspire her to tell silly stories that cause hysterical giggles to tumble from their bellies.
Beth loves to laugh and loves to have a good cry, especially after reading a novel that stretches her soul, the ones that make her feel, and linger in the corners of her beating heart.
Beth began writing when she was in middle school, penning anything from short stories, to poetry, and then later to write children’s books. Her debut novel, Love Love is due out May 8, 2013.
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams” - Willy Wonka
My husband said something not too long ago that resonated with me. He said "you've been a writer your whole life and you didn't even know it." The more I thought about it, the more it felt like a truth. Ever since I was young, I've written poems, edited letters, written short stories, children's stories, but yet I'd never considered myself "a writer." I kept thinking to myself...am I really a writer? I'm passionate about it, but can I really do this? The fear kicked in, but then I finally said screw the fear, and suddenly became inspired. So much so, that I was writing on the back of blank deposit slips, on soggy paper in the shower, on the backs of grocery receipts...Anywhere inspiration hit me.
I'm happy to say that my first novel Love Love will be coming out this year. This is the most amazing thing I've ever done and I feel so many things...blessed, appreciative, overwhelmed, nervous, bubbling with butterflies, but mostly I feel excitement and especially gratitude for all of the love and support.
Links:
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Facebook:
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Title: Painted Boots
Author: Mechelle Morrison
Release date: July 15, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: mature Young Adult
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
EXCERPT 1:
It’s been four weeks since I poured my heart against Kyle’s sleeve. Four weeks since we gave each other a full body hug on the front porch of my house. That day had me feeling so good about things: about Mom and life, about going on. But since that day Kyle and I have hardly spoken.
I don’t get it.
He frowns through class, with his head down. No more poetic insights. No thoughtful answers. When we cross paths in the hall he says, “Hey Aspen,” and keeps on walking, pretending he can’t see the questions burning in my eyes. It’s pathetic, but the more he ignores me the more I listen to his music on YouTube, feeling stupid for telling him about my mom, stupid for falling apart in his arms. I hate how inside I seem broken, like telling Kyle the truth has come back to mock me, shredding my new-found happiness with the same precision a magpie exhibits for road kill.
Book Description:
When her father drags her to a new life in Wyoming, Aspen Brand doesn’t expect to fall for a cowboy named Kyle Thacker—but she does. At seventeen, Aspen and Kyle share unexpected ground: guitar, running, physics. And guilt. Aspen blames herself for her mother’s car accident, while Kyle can’t find a way past his brother’s suicide.
On their first date they open up to each other, forging an unbreakable bond between them. But Kyle has spent two years living with a vicious secret—one his ex-girlfriend will do anything to protect—and sharing his truth with Aspen makes her a target. Now if Kyle is to be her love story, Aspen must first win the fight of her life.
Goodreads:
EXCERPT 2:
Above us, the Christmas lights flicker.
I know about sex and stuff—I mean, Mom bored me with her lectures until I thought I’d scream. And I’ve seen my share of movie-love, so it’s not like I don’t know the motions. But none of that is this. This is me alone, with Kyle touching my body and tasting my mouth and pressing against my legs. I’ve never let a guy get this far. Some inner boundary has always clicked in my head. But I’m not feeling boundaries now. I want Kyle’s hands on my bare skin. I want his touch. I want to explore him and be explored, but I should probably tell him, “I’m not ready for sex.”
Links to the book:
Amazon:
Barnes and Noble:
EXCERPT 3:
As Kyle walks to my bedside, my eyes fill with tears. I want him to wrap his arms around me and hold me like he’ll never let me go, the way he did the day we danced together at Monsters Stomp. I want to hear his beautiful, tenor voice telling me everything will be all right, that his heart hasn’t changed. But all he does is hunch over me, resting his forearms on the white railing between us. When Kyle gathers my hand in his, Dad coughs and mumbles something. Then Dad’s gone.
Maybe Kyle was waiting for Dad to go. Maybe now he’ll pull off his boots and climb up next to me and settle by my side. I want to cradle my head on his shoulder while we talk and talk and talk. I crave the warmth of his body. I need the soothing sound of his voice. But he just stands there.
He inspects my hand for a while, rubbing his thumb across my knuckles with careful, light strokes, his wheels turning. Terrifying silence builds between us. I worry this is all too much for him, that knowing Em hurt me brings back too many bad memories of his own. It’s possible that what she did to me scares him, like he’s next or something. Maybe his demons are too strong, even stronger than all the intimate things we emailed back and forth: putting our bodies together and kissing and our future and stuff.
Kyle’s gaze shifts. He’s so intent on wherever he’s looking that I follow his stare to the far white wall of the room. A watercolor print hangs there, framed in cheap bleached wood, the flowery bouquet faded into tone-on-tone. As I look at it, the image blurs into nothing. I hate waiting on what he’s going to say. I don’t want to hear him grope around for a perfectly phrased good-bye. Not now. I draw one breath and turn to face him, determined to ask him what he’s thinking. It’s better just to know. But before I can speak, his eyes lock on mine.
About the Author:
Mechelle Morrison loves language--she's always wished she could speak and write them all. She lives for chocolate, lazy summer days, spontaneously funny things . . . and family. She's sort of scared of dogs.
When she's not reading or writing or wandering the world, she can be found in her backyard in Utah with her husband, their daughter and the bevy of quail that live behind their garage.
If she didn't write she'd make stop-motion animation shorts. So she does that anyway.
Author social media links:
Blog:
Facebook:
Goodreads:
EXCERPT 4:
Kyle pulls my boots from my feet then lifts my legs, gently easing me down until I’m lying flat on my back in bed.
He stands over me, deliberating, as I relax. “I need to see what happened to you,” he says.
“No, you don’t. It’s gross.”
He leaves me long enough to close his bedroom door, locking it with a firm click. “Let me see anyway.”
I reach for the buttons on my shirt, but my fingers only twist at the mother-of-pearl. “I can’t,” I say. “It’s too embarrassing.”
Kyle roughs his hair. He walks to the other side of his bed. After a few moments he removes his shirt and tosses it for a chair. He grabs the back of his tee and with both hands, pulls it over his head. The small white scars peppering his shoulders glow in the lamplight, like ice crystals on a frosted window. He folds the tee flat and shoves it under his pillow.
His boots are next, followed by the clink of metal on metal, soft as distant bells, as he unfastens his belt. He unbuttons his jeans and takes them off one leg at a time, revealing green plaid boxers.
“Um. What are you doing?” I ask.
He snuggles into the covers then, pulling the sheet and comforter over himself. My side twinges as my body tilts toward his weight. After a bit of wriggling, his boxers and thick gray wool socks fly for the chair. “Naked communication,” he says.
Event ‘Giveaway’: The author is hosting a Release Giveaway
(2) Signed Print Copies of Painted Boots – US/Canada
(1) Swag: Ceramic mug from the author’s ‘AspenBlovesKyleT’ Etsy store (a mug with the lyrics from Kyle’s songs on it) and (1) Pair of Vintage Earrings – US/Canada
(2) eBook Copies of Painted Boots - International
US/Canada Items Code:
International Items Code:
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The Unexpected Storm by Lorhainne Eckhart
Genre: Adult contemporary romance
Synopsis:
He can have any woman, except the one he wants.
Candy McRae is barely making ends meet. She’s heartbroken and alone with her horses and baby donkey living hand to mouth on the most sought after oceanfront property. Everyone wants it, including the wealthy hunk who owns the estate next door. And when he offers to buy it she refuses. His first mistake was asking her out. His second was not meaning it. Even though he could solve all her problems, she’d rather sell to the devil himself.
Smart and sexy Neil Friessen is quite the catch. He’s not only drop dead gorgeous with a body women dream of. He’s wealthy, stubborn, arrogant and thoughtful. He attracts women, and million dollar deals, and plans to build a resort on the property next to his. He has the plans, the money, and the resources. The only thing standing between him and his sweet deal is the dark haired beauty who owns the property he wants.
But when a storm forces everyone to evacuate Candy refuses to leave her animals, and her property. But it’s Neil who shows up, Neil who rescues her. Except by the time he finds her vulnerable and hurt they can’t get out. Neil is alone with the one woman he’s always wanted. And he’ll have to choose between this dark haired beauty who fills his dreams every night, and building his million dollar resort.
Buy:
“They were gone.” Neil was soaking wet and out of breath by the time he yanked open the door and had to use both hands to pull it closed as the wind whipped around. “Candy, we’re leaving now, if we can still get out of here.”
“What do you mean, ‘They were gone’? They can’t be gone!” she yelled, and Neil watched as her face took on that pasty gray white that happened to people when they heard the most awful news. She was holding that ridiculous floppy-eared donkey in her lap, with its gangly legs, as she sat awkwardly on a stool by the door.
Of course she wasn’t going to make this easy. She was going to be difficult as all hell. He’d love to get to know this woman, and at any other time he would have enjoyed sparring a few rounds, except now was about the worst time possible. Neil took two steps toward her until he was right in her face and the donkey’s legs knocked his knees. He grabbed her shoulders and put his face inches from hers. “You listen to me: Those horses were probably damn scared, and it looks like they kicked out those flimsy stall doors. There wasn’t much there to hold them in. We have to go.”
“No. I’ll go find them....”
“No, you won’t. They’ll be miles from here by now. Candy, honey, I know you love them, but animals have a sixth sense about this kind of thing. They’ll get the hell out of here, they’ll run. You know they’re prey animals, built with a fight or flight instinct that appears to have completely missed you. We have to go. Come on. Don’t fight me on this, because I’ll make you go, and you know I can. I’m not leaving you here. Candy, I promise you we’ll find them after. I’ll help you find them!” he yelled at her.
The wind was ripping at the roof. The metal was screeching and banging, and water was dribbling through the roof as new holes seemed to pop up everywhere. Her entire ceiling now resembled a sieve. The floor was wet, and Neil could feel the way the house wanted to buckle around them. It wouldn’t be standing much longer.
A tear slipped out, and she couldn’t wipe it away. He could tell she was embarrassed, but her hands were full with that stupid, ridiculous donkey, who was looking up at Neil absolutely petrified. He could see the thing quivering.
“I have goats’ milk in the fridge for Ambrose. We’ll have to take it.”
Neil didn’t wait, yanking open the fridge door. There were five bottles of milk in the fridge, and he grabbed all of them. Spotting paper bags stuffed in a cubby, he stuffed all the bottles in. “Let’s go now. Give me the donkey.” He lifted the donkey from Candy, and it started braying and kicking. He held on tightly to it and to the paper bag he scrunched in his hand. “Can you walk?”
“Yeah, I can....”
“Hang on to me.”
She slid her hand into the crook of his arm, and Neil walked to the door. The donkey had calmed down, thankfully. He adjusted the bag in his hand so he could open the door, but he could feel the wind pounding and pushing against it.
“Don’t let go.” He glanced back for a second as she tightened her grip, pressing right up against him.
2012 was an amazing year in the publishing world for me, and it started with The Forgotten Child, which landed on the Amazon bestseller list for western romance and romance series. With the publication of each novel and short story, each one made its way to the top ten for its respective genre. 2013 has seen me posted in the top 100 authors on Amazon for romantic suspense and mystery/thrillers, police procedural.
Where did it all begin? In 2008, I published my first novel, The Captain’s Lady, a contemporary military romance, through The Wild Rose Press. This year I have a crazy writing schedule with four books scheduled for release and six short stories.
I write three genres, edgy romantic suspense (Walk the Right Road Series), western romance (Finding Love ~ The Outsider Series), and young adult mystery, and I warn my readers to expect the unexpected. I’m the mother of three children, one a special needs child. We live on a small Island in the Pacific Northwest, where I advocate for the environment and the rights of special needs children. Somewhere in my busy schedule, I do find time to write. I encourage you to contact me by email; I do answer every email I receive.
Stay tuned. There is more to come from the Walk the Right Road Series and Finding Love ~ The Outsider Series.
And to my readers and all of you who have shared my stories with your family and friends, a big heartfelt thank you.
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Okay how many of you readers are Rock and Roll fans.... Bad Boy Rockers.... Swoon worthy lost souls....Well I have a book for you then!
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I am currently reading an ARC (advance reader copy) of Escaping reality that comes out July 22, 2013 and I am in love so far. This is a must read book by a great author Lisa Renee Jones.
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Title: Tales of a 10th Grade Vampire HunterAuthor: Bill BlumeGenre: Urban Fantasy, Supernatural
Visit FABLE PRESS for more info!
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Endure (Book One of the Endure Series)
Release Date: 07/12/13
Summary from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Justin's anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.
To most of the immortal Vie, his blood is a scourge: untouchable and useless. To some Vie, his blood is a drug. To Justin, it’s something that gets him in a lot of trouble. Being poisoned by a Vie is just one example. His sister getting kidnapped is another. Whether it’s being coerced by a deluded cult leader, or negotiating with Alex—an Vie scientist addicted to Anemie blood—Justin struggles to keep every mutated drop of blood he’s got.
His fight for survival gets more complicated when he meets Alex’s slave, Cara. Despite coming from different worlds, they’re both prisoners, at risk of being drained by a hungry Vie any moment. When she risks her own neck to help Justin find his sister, he's left with a terrifying choice.
Saving what's left of humanity.
Saving his sister. Saving the girl he loves.
Or sticking a stake in Alex’s chest.
Justin can't decide which option will get him killed first.
Available From:
Excerpt #1:
I hated afternoons the most. Soon after came darkness—the time when a raiding squad could literally snatch you out of bed and drain all the blood from your body. It was amazing that any Anemies survived with the extermination campaign ridding the world of us red blood cell-deficient freaks.
My gaze jumped to the pale, indifferent sky, then jittered to the uneven-edged, partially constructed biodome as I walked. Eventually, the damn thing would cover the entire city, including the river surrounding the island, and part of the ocean capping the south side. The project had been in the works since before I was born. Incredible.
I gently squeezed my sister’s hand to make sure she kept up. Sammie had a tendency to dawdle and considering we made up the last rung of the society ladder, giving in to distraction could get you hurt—or killed.
About the Author:
Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist and author of all things young adult paranormal, dystopian, horror, and middle grade. Her short story, CITY OF LIGHTS AND STONE, is in the DAY OF DEMONS Anthology by Anachron Press (April 2012).
Another short story, BEGGING DEATH, is coming soon in the CARNAGE: AFTER THE END Anthology by Sirens Call Publications.
Her Young Adult Paranormal Romance novelette NEW PRIDE was published November 2012 and her novel SHIFTING PRIDE is coming December 7, 2012 from Etopia Press.
When she's not writing, she is working at the hospital, blogging at Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer (http://lbdiamond.wordpress.com/), and renovating her 225+ year old fixer-upper mansion.
She is also full-time staff member for her four cats and a Pembroke corgi named Katie.
Author Links:
Excerpt #2:
A siren broke the night’s tense silence. I cringed at the growing sound.
“They’re stopping here, Justin.” Sammie huddled closer to me, trembling.
“Shhh.” I smoothed her greasy hair.
Blazes, maybe this was our time to die.
Dim outlines of the other Anemies dotted the otherwise bare room. We all crouched lower, as if curling into living meatballs would prevent the Vie from attacking us.
“I’m scared.” Her shrill voice shredded my ear drums. I covered her mouth with my hand, but she pawed me away. She hated the feeling of suffocation.
“You have to be quiet.” They could hear our whispers, but we didn’t have to attract more attention than necessary. I grimaced at the salty, dank odor of sweat emanating from my pores. They could smell us, too, even sense our decay. No wonder they hated us. Our stench. Our weakness.
Such a contrast from their perfection.
***GIVEAWAY***
One e-book copy of Endure, Open Internationally!
Excerpt #3:
“I do not regret my choice to accept Vitalus, but I do long for the intensity of feelings that only come with mortal life.” Alex stroked the chair’s arm. “I can feel this fabric against my skin, but it does not invigorate me. Nor does a soft breeze, a pleasing scent, or a lilting tune. I enjoy it to some degree, but I feel like an observer and I don’t get to directly experience anything. Except the thirst for blood, of course. I need so much of it just to sustain my existence that all other thoughts are pushed aside, almost to the exclusion of living. Ironic, isn’t it?”
“Shhh.” I smoothed her greasy hair.
Blazes, maybe this was our time to die.
Dim outlines of the other Anemies dotted the otherwise bare room. We all crouched lower, as if curling into living meatballs would prevent the Vie from attacking us.
“I’m scared.” Her shrill voice shredded my ear drums. I covered her mouth with my hand, but she pawed me away. She hated the feeling of suffocation.
“You have to be quiet.” They could hear our whispers, but we didn’t have to attract more attention than necessary. I grimaced at the salty, dank odor of sweat emanating from my pores. They could smell us, too, even sense our decay. No wonder they hated us. Our stench. Our weakness.
Such a contrast from their perfection.
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