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Guest Blog and Character Interview with Alex McGuire from Carly Jordynn’s latest novel!

Hey, ya’ll! I have a special character interview today with Alex McGuire from Carly Jordynn’s latest novel, FOREST OF THE MIST: AWAKENING, which is currently up for preorder! Yay! Read on to find out more about this interesting fella and to learn about Carly’s latest novel. 😀

Welcome, Alex! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure I can. I’m Alex McGuire. My life changed forever when my girlfriend, Lily, was in a car accident that sent her to an alternate reality known as Paradise Valley. Now, instead of marrying her like I had always planned, I am now pretending to be the father of a young boy whose mother, I have never met, but have been ordered to marry by the young woman’s dead husband. Oh, let’s not forget the woman is still in a coma and met my ex-girlfriend in the alternate realm. Tell me that’s not messed up! 

That sounds totally messed up! Must be seriously stressful. What do you do for work?

I was going to become a lawyer, but that has been put on hold. I had to take care of Lily while she was in a coma. Fat lot of good that did me. Now, I am a paralegal for my mentor, John Yoblonowitz. He is teaching me useful skills like creating false papers and prepping me to pass the bar exam.

Aw, well that’s sweet of you to take care of Lily anyway. At least John is helping you out. If you had a day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

That’s a tough one. Relax is at the top of the list. All I do is work, attend classes, study for the bar, and take care of these chuckleheads from Paradise Valley. I would love to go back in time and change the way I cared for Lily after she woke from the coma.

Sounds like you’re working super hard. Sounds like you need a drink to relax! Favorite alcoholic beverage?

I don’t drink . . . at least until I moved to Ireland. Now I enjoy a Guinness with my buddy, Keegan.

Gotta love the Irish! What’s your favorite music?

Metal bands from the 70’s and 80’s. Love that music.

Me too! Love me some Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue. 😛 What do you love most about Lily?

Technically, I have two loves. Lily was my first. I have loved her in some form or fashion since we were children. The accident and coma changed that future. Now, there is Jennifer. She is the girl I mentioned earlier. I just met her when she woke. We fight like cats and dogs, but after she goaded me into a heart attack, I knew she was the woman for me. She is passionate, angry, loving, and beautiful. We are very happy together, or will be when we stop fighting.

Nothing like a heart attack to make a man fall in love with you! 😛 Before the story began, what were your hopes for the future? 

To finish law school, pass the bar exam, and marry Lily. We would live in our hometown and raise our children there.  

What changed?

The accident. That night changed everything, not only for me, but for Lily and her husband, Connor, whom she met in the alternate realm.

Sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure, Alex. Any parting thoughts?

I know I talk about Lily a lot, but I really do love Jennifer and the life we will build together. I hope you read our story in Forest of the Mist: Awakening.

I know I will definitely check it out! And I hope you do too, dear reader. Thanks for stopping by, Alex! It was great having you. 🙂

Keep reading on to learn more about FOREST OF THE MIST: AWAKENING and for an awesome snippet of the novel!

FOREST OF THE MIST: AWAKENING

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ALEX McGUIRE never dreamed his life would take such a turn. His plan to complete college, become a lawyer, and marry his girlfriend, LILY LAVERY, tanked following his kidnapping to the alternate realm known as Paradise Valley. Now Alex has been ordered by a dead man, DAVID KYLE, to marry his young wife, JENNIFER BURKE KYLE, and raise their infant son, DAVY KYLE, as his own. That would be a great plan if it weren’t for the fact that Jennifer is still in a coma, has never met him, and her son has some strange attributes too.

JENNIFER BURKE KYLE woke from the coma to the realization that she was a widow and the mother of a young son who could read minds, create portals to an alternate realm, and have unforeseen growth spurts when he is in or near Paradise Valley. As if that wasn’t enough, a complete stranger has stated he is to marry her and raise her son as his own. All on the order of her dead husband, David.

DAVY KYLE was tickled pink that Alex McGuire would be his Dad and couldn’t wait for his mother to wake from the coma so the wedding could take place. What Davy didn’t see, was the trouble in the form of PRI, otherwise known as the Percival Research Institute. PRI agents were after his family and it was going to be up to Davy to hide them all until it was safe.

Together, Alex, Jennifer, Davy, and their friends from Paradise Valley, must join together to keep the family safe, destroy PRI, and protect the still comatose COLIN O’BRIEN, the last member of their Paradise Valley family. With the help of student nurse, DEANA COOK, they may just succeed in their plan and find happiness along the way.

PREORDER LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Forest-Mist-Awakening-Series-ebook/dp/B012T8JT5W

SNIPPET:

“What?” Jennifer said. “I’m not ready to be married to you. I don’t even know you.”

Alex had had just about enough of her routine. “Listen, sweetheart, it’s no picnic being with you either. I’m tired of trying to live up to your lofty expectations. I’m not David Kyle, nor would I want to be. I’m doing this all for you, to protect you and Davy. A little gratitude would be welcome.”

“Excuse me?” Anger flashed in her eyes. “You are darn lucky that I even give you the time of day. You overbearing, egotistical control freak.”

“Control freak!” Alex shouted weakly. “Are we back to that song and dance again? Can’t you come up with some original material? I’ve busted my ass in order to help you, and you have the nerve to say I’m controlling you?”

“Oh, what a load of crap, Alex! You are not doing this for me or Davy. You are doing it for Lily.” Jennifer spun away from him in disgust.

Alex wanted to pound something in frustration, but he could barely move his arms. “For crying out loud, Jennifer, Lily isn’t here. She married Connor. They moved away. Lily has nothing to do with this. If she did, I would already be in Texas. I’m here with you because I want to be with you.”

“You do not know me!” she shouted.

“Because you won’t let me get to know you!” Alex countered.

Alex stopped speaking. His face turned red. Spots appeared before his eyes, and he had a hard time catching his breath. He saw Jennifer back away from him as the machine he was hooked up to began to scream. A team of doctors rushed into the room and began working on him. Alex felt himself begin to fade and then he was gone.

MORE ABOUT CARLY:

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Carly Jordynn is a writer from Northern Kentucky who loves to weave tales of fantasy, paranormal, and romance. When she isn’t writing a book, she writes lyrics for the Christian band, Phil Parks and One Step Closer.

Carly loves to travel. You can find her at various conferences and other author events throughout the year. Her hobbies include: travel, photography, reading, party-planning, dinner with friends, and hanging out with her family.

Carly is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Stay up to date by following Carly on Facebook at www.facebook.com/carlyjordynn777, on Twitter @CarlyJordynn, or on her website, www.carlyjordynn.com.

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Ladies, Reticules, and Books, oh my! Guest blog and giveaway with Shehanne Moore!

Greetings, mateys! I have the AWESOME Shehanne Moore on my blog today talking about her characters and their reticules. Read on to find out what the heck a reticule is and how they define her fabulous ladies!


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So? Just what is a reticule exactly? Before anyone should get too excited, like one of my blog readers did that day, it’s a woman’s handbag.

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My heroines carry them a lot in my books. Being a historical author you try to give a little authenticity. I’m just not sure that any of my heroines would carry one like that one. Dress like this either. I mean I just cannot imagine my heroine Lady Fury taking a swing at the hero, Captain Flint, dressed like that.

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L.D. Rose, a million-trillion hugs for inviting me to your lovely blog today when I know just how busy you are. I haven’t brought the hamstah dudes along. We don’t need the interruptions. I haven’t brought my reticule either. What I have is a little picture of four bags.

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And I have four heroines. So I am wondering how easy it is from the description to match the heroine to the bag.

We can get to the contents later. Fury’s is likely to be a brick given the amount of swipes she takes with that bag, whereas my new heroine, Lady Malice, well, she likes to keep cards in hers. Her business cards.

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So, what do we know of these ladies?

Well, the heroine of The Unravelling of Lady Fury

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as you might guess has a great fondness for silks, satins, perfumes, spending money she does not have, dressing in evening gowns at ten in the morning and despite everything, the hero. She’s a lady, don’t you know. At least she thinks she is and her taste reflects that. She’s also a pirate’s lady


Next up, Kara McGurkie.

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Well, the title speaks for itself, doesn’t it, if you think about these things brides have. Her bag probably contains a wedding garter
for strangling the groom with.

Did I also say my heroines are a bit like that? Kind of ready to commit murder if need be?

Sapphire, the heroine of Loving Lady Lazuli,

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doesn’t quite go that far but like Fury, she does have a corpse to dispose of. What can I tell you about Sapphire? She’s an ex jewel thief, doing the poor grieving widow bit. But her reticule isn’t very likely to have anything in it. God no. She’s more than likely to plant her ill gotten gains on you
although there was that one time she didn’t
.

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Finally, last but not least we come to Malice, owner of Strictly Business, a strictly business like business I turn a blind eye to, and heroine of The Viking and The Courtesan. Malice isn’t quite all she seems and I think her reticule reflects that fact.

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We’ve been talking reticules. I think it’s time for an extract concerning one.

She snapped her reticule open. In it, in addition to the other things ladies kept in their handbags, was a gauze square. It was not the one she had worn that night she attempted to seduce him, obviously. That had been trodden underfoot or tied around the head or hips of some Viking, or other. But it was similar. The gauze square was nothing to her business card.

That she removed and pressed into his hand.

“I believe you contacted this agency.”

“Malice…” The manner—the starkly horrified manner–in which his brown eyes roamed it, spoke oceans.

“Yes?” She shrugged her scantily clad shoulders.

“That was… That was…”

“Obnoxious of you. Especially the lies you told. About me.”

“But, Malice…”

“Yes, Cyril?”

“Malice, whatever, whoever said such things about you…”

She held up a gloved hand. “Cyril, before you go further, there is something you should know.”

“Yes?”

“I am Strictly.” 

Now I asked if you could guess whose handbag is whose. I’ve also numbered them. So why not guess in the comments below, leaving your email addy and I’ll draw a winner from those who are right. The Viking and the Courtesan is available now at Amazon and I’ll give away a free eBook copy.

BUY LINKS:

http://amzn.to/1M7Mh3R

http://amzn.to/1gz67YL

THE VIKING AND THE COURTESAN blurb:

In 898 AD she wasn’t just from another land.

Wrecking a marriage is generally no problem for the divorce obtaining, Lady Malice Mallender. But she faces a dilemma when she’s asked to ruin her own. Just how businesslike should she remain when the marriage was never consummated and kissing her husband leads to Sin–a handsome Viking who wants her for a bed slave in name only?

She came from another time.

Viking raider Sin Gudrunsson wants one thing. To marry his childhood sweetheart. Only she’s left him before, so he needs to keep her on her toes, and a bed slave, in name only, seems just the thing. Until he meets Malice.

One kiss is all it takes to flash between two worlds

But when one kiss is no longer enough, which will it be? Regency London? Or Viking Norway? Will Malice learn what governs the flashes? Can Sin?

Where worlds collide can love melt the iciest heart?

AUTHOR BIO:

When not cuddling inn signs in her beloved Scottish mountains alongside Mr Shey, Shehanne Moore writes dark and smexy historical romance, featuring bad boys who need a bad girl to sort them out. She firmly believes everyone deserves a little love, forgiveness and a second chance in life.

Shehanne caused general apoplexy when she penned her first story, The Hore House Mystery—aged seven. What didn’t she work at while pursuing her dream of becoming a published author?

Visit her blog to find out about past releases and hear more about her forthcoming time-slip historical, The Viking and The Courtesan.

http://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/

www.pinterest.com/shehanne/

https://twitter.com/ShehanneMoore

http://shehannemooreweeblycom.weebly.com/

http://furiousunravelings.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ShehanneMoore

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shehanne-Moore/163736780417433?ref=br_rs

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kilting-the-Book/1400031303553598?ref=ts&fref=ts

What a great post! Learning something every day. 😉 Don’t forget to comment below with your lady/reticule matches for a free eBook of The Viking and The Courtesan! Considering it’s only been out less than a week and already rocketing up the Amazon Top 100 lists, it’s definitely worth a shot. 😀 Thanks for stopping by!

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Author interview and guest blog with Julie Doherty!

Ladies and Gents! I have the fabulous Julie Doherty on my blog today talking about her latest historical romance, SCENT OF THE SOUL. She has quite the story (both real and fictional) to tell so I suggest you gobble this entire post with your eyeballs.

Also, both Julie and I will be part of Shehanne Moore’s release party on Facebook today! Come on by and check it out if you are so inclined. 😉 

Welcome, Julie! Tell us about your latest release.

SCENT OF THE SOUL features Somerled of Argyll, the 12th century progenitor of many Highland clans and the world’s second most common ancestor. Once an exile, Somerled is making alliances, expanding his territory, and proposing marriage to the Manx princess. It’s a bad time to fall for Breagha, a torc-wearing slave with a supernatural sense of smell and a demon hot on her heels.

Whoa, sounds intense! What was the hardest thing about writing this book? The easiest?

The hardest part was staying motivated during a period of great emotional pain. When my Irish husband filed an application for a visa to join me in the USA, we prepared ourselves for a six to nine month separation while the government considered our request. How could we know six months would turn into almost four years?

During that awful time, we endured not only the pain of separation, but less than ideal living conditions. Ireland’s economy had tanked, and my husband could find no work. He existed in a house with no electricity and no real facilities, other than a toilet and a bathtub propped up on boards in the “bathroom.” I was three thousand miles away, alone in a drafty old Victorian I couldn’t afford to heat. Nearly all of my salary went to immigration costs, keeping us alive, and paying for flights to Ireland. I saved all seventeen of my sick/vacation days each year to spend with my husband, which meant I, too, learned how to cook one-pot meals over an open flame.

Someone stole my heating oil. Then, I suffered a home invasion. Life felt hopeless and frightening. It was tough writing a love story when I couldn’t find my own happy ending.

Although I will never be grateful for those hard times, I can see how they enriched my writing. After all, SCENT OF THE SOUL is about soul mates forced apart by a third party. I know a little bit about how that feels. 😉

The easiest? Oh, man. Nothing about this book was easy.

Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that, Julie. *cyber hugs* Sounds like you had a rough time, I can’t even imagine! 😩 I’m glad things have improved at least a little and you’re together with your hubby now. I can definitely see how experiences like these can fuel your writing with some serious realism. 

Speaking of realism, If you could bring one of your characters (villain or hero) to life, who would you chose? Why?

I would choose Somerled, of course, so I could flaunt him at clan gatherings!

Haha, yes! Arm candy is a huge plus at clan gatherings. 😉 So, Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about your latest novel. Who plays the main characters?

Heath Ledger would have been so perfect for the part of Somerled, and I’m still heartbroken over his death. He had that glorious wide forehead and the eyes that I describe in SCENT as:

“deeply set—sailing eyes, the kind made for scanning horizons and seeking out the world’s edge. She saw intelligence in them, and experience beyond his years. She saw, too, infinite responsibility and conflict. His eyes were like doors, locked doors, to a chamber never visited.”

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For Breagha, the actress Elena Satine comes to mind.

“Her eyes were frightened and searching. They were green—vivid green—like Islay’s fields in mid-summer. Above them, her hair gleamed like a polished hazelnut.”

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If Steve Buscemi shaved his head, he would make a great Semjaza.

“Gone also were his hazel eyes, replaced by glowing slits of yellow fury. . . . a head, a hairless one, as cold and bumpy as an oyster shell.”

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Great cast! Love the descriptions. I’d certainly watch that movie! Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in south central Pennsylvania, about ten minutes away from my ancestors’ eighteenth century farm. This is a rural area, with fertile valleys wedged between the northern Appalachian ridges.

I have a day job thirty-five miles from home, so in order to add to my word count, I have to wake two hours early, write in my car during lunch (while stuffing a sandwich down my throat), and spend every evening and weekend at the keyboard. I know that doesn’t sound pleasant or glamorous, but there is peace in creating something beautiful, and the sacrifice is worth it when I type my two favorite words: THE END.

I can completely relate to that! Sounds very similar to my schedule, but I’m a hardcore weekend warrior. Tell us one thing about yourself your readers may not know about you.

I can’t imagine there’s anything left. I’m an open book, and very active on social media. My friends and followers know I love to interact.

As a friend and follower, I can attest to that! 🙂 What are you working on now?

I am three-quarters of the way through a contemporary, which sees the characters of SCENT reunite in 2013. My main character, born one of Somerled’s descendants, unearths a gold torc on the family farm. Curious about its origins, she travels to Scotland, where she finds more than she bargained for. I tackle the heavy topic of infertility in this one, something else I know a bit about.

Sounds like a must-read to me! Please keep us posted on the release date. 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story with us (both real and fictional). You are awesome, Julie! Before you go, let us know where we can find you.

Stop by and say hello. I love to chat.

SITE: www.juliedoherty.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/juliedohertywrites

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SquareSails

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/532434.Julie_Doherty 

A little more about Julie:

Julie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Central PA Romance Writers. When not writing, she enjoys antiquing, shooting longbow, traveling, and cooking over an open fire at her cabin. She lives in Pennsylvania with her Glasgow-born Irish husband, who sounds a lot like her characters.

And now for SCENT OF THE SOUL!

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In twelfth century Scotland, it took a half-Gael with a Viking name to restore the clans to their rightful lands. Once an exile, Somerled the Mighty now dominates the west. He’s making alliances, expanding his territory, and proposing marriage to the Manx princess.

It’s a bad time to fall for Breagha, a torc-wearing slave with a supernatural sense of smell.

Somerled resists the intense attraction to a woman who offers no political gain, and he won’t have a mistress making demands on him while he’s negotiating a marriage his people need. Besides, Breagha belongs to a rival king, one whose fresh alliance Somerled can’t afford to lose.

It’s when Breagha vanishes that Somerled realizes just how much he needs her. He abandons his marriage plans to search for her, unprepared for the evil lurking in the shadowy recesses of Ireland—a lustful demon who will stop at nothing to keep Breagha for himself.

BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBuB3WC3FGU

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Scent-Soul-Julie-Doherty-ebook/dp/B00SZ0SKUE

AMAZON UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Scent-Soul-Julie-Doherty-ebook/dp/B00SZ0SKUE

AMAZON CANADA: http://www.amazon.ca/Scent-Soul-Julie-Doherty-ebook/dp/B00SZ0SKUE

AMAZON AUSTRALIA: www.amazon.com.au/Scent-Soul-Julie-Doherty-ebook/dp/B00SZ0SKUE

Hope you enjoyed today’s post, dear reader! Thanks for stopping by! 😀

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The TERROR of your impending debut novel release.

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RELEASING THE DEMONS Cover Reveal and Giveaway!

Guess what, guys?

I HAVE A COVER.

My very first cover for my debut novel, RELEASING THE DEMONS, a dark paranormal romance due out in a few weeks! And I also have a rafflecopter giveaway! *fist pump*

The cover artist, Fiona Jayde, did a wonderful job of depicting the feel and atmosphere of the book, along with the hero (hello, Blaze!). I’m very happy with the result. 😀

So without further ado…

You ready?

Are you sure?

Wait for it…

BOOM.

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Blurb:

Blaze Knight has been through hell and back, but the nightmares aren’t over yet.

Five years after Blaze was maimed by Cyrus Chimola, a powerful vampire with a penchant for torture, he’s still trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. As a genetically engineered mercenary with the ability to bend fire to his will and to see in infrared, Blaze’s mission is to protect what’s left of humanity. When Chimola and his crew return to the Bronx gunning for Blaze’s blood, Blaze is forced to face the demons of his past. Hell-bent on revenge, he seeks the help of Valerie Medeiros, an NYPD detective who manages to steal his heart and save his life in more ways than one.

Motivated by her sister’s gruesome death, Valerie has made it her life’s goal to bury every vampire in the ground where they belong. When she brings in Blaze Knight for suspected murder, she discovers he’s not only innocent, he isn’t a man at all—he’s a half-vampire hybrid working with a band of brothers for the U.S. military. Valerie has a hard time trusting anything with fangs, yet she quickly falls headlong into Blaze’s life, a life full of darkness and horror she can’t even begin to fathom. The bodies are stacking up, but Valerie can’t seem to let go of this hybrid, a beautiful monster filled with pain, rage, and passion unlike anything she’s ever known.

In a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, Blaze and Valerie will find danger at every turn, risking everything they’ve come to know and love, including one another.

Is that badass or what?! SO PERFECT. And check out the RtD Pinterest Board and Spotify Playlist.

And now for the giveaway! The prize is a $10 Amazon giftcard and an eBook copy of RtD. Giveaway ends on Sunday, July 26th. I’m still awaiting the final release date from my publisher, so stay tuned! Thank you so much for stopping by and please feel free to spread the word. 😀

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Guest blog and author interview with Joanne Guidoccio!

Hey everyone! I have the wonderful Joanne Guidoccio on my blog today talking about her latest release, A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES (I love that title!). Read on to find out more about this intriguing novel and the equally intriguing author herself. 🙂

Welcome, Joanne! Tell us about your latest release.

While undergoing cancer treatments, I gravitated toward cozy mysteries. After devouring over fifty books in that genre, I imagined the following scenarios: What if a brunette lottery winner moves back to her hometown and finds herself involved in a murder investigation? And what if all the victims are blondes? Since I had plotted the story during the most challenging season of my life, I decided to use A Season for Killing Blondes as the title. Based in Northern Ontario, the novel features a fifty-something Italian woman, her relatives, deserving and undeserving men, and food.

Ha, that sounds amazing! And what a way to help you through a difficult time in your life. What was the hardest thing about writing this book? The easiest?

Once I had the idea for the book, it was very easy to start writing. I still had several months before returning to my teaching position, so I bunkered down and wrote the first draft of the novel. And then I let it sit for several years. When I returned to the manuscript, I struggled to get back into the groove and often felt like giving up on the project. Thankfully, the muse returned and I rewrote the entire manuscript, changing POV to first person and adding several characters and another sub-plot.

Our muses can certainly be stubborn! But they always come through in the end. 😉 If you could bring one of your characters (villain or hero) to life, who would you chose? Why?

At the risk of sounding narcissistic, I will say that I would love to bring Gilda Greco (the protagonist) to life. I identify strongly with Gilda. So much so, that I used the first-person POV. Our similarities…Italian Canadian, born and raised in Sudbury, relocated to Southern Ontario, mathematics teachers, career development practitioners, yoga enthusiasts, non-foodies.

One major difference – Gilda won a $19 million lottery. If I could bring Gilda to life, then I could also manifest a lottery win.

You don’t need to convince me! $19 million dollars would be spectacular. Okay, so Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about your latest novel. Who plays the main characters?

Since most of the characters are boomers, I would prefer to use actors in that age group. Lorraine Bracco would make a great Gilda Greco. For her love interest, I would go with Pierce Brosnan.

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Pierce Brosnan! Ohhh, yesss. 😉 Now on to you. Tell us a little about yourself.

For most of my life, I was a poster child for left brainers. I gravitated toward degrees in mathematics and education and found teaching to be a good career fit. But after thirty-one years, I was ready for a change.

So, I put pen to paper and I revisited a writing dream from my high school years. A writing practice slowly emerged, and I watched with delight as my articles and book reviews started appearing in newspapers, magazines, and online. Buoyed by this success, I took on the challenge of revamping A Season for Killing Blondes, a manuscript I had written during my “cancer” year.

While shopping the cozy around, I wrote Between Land and Sea and was thrilled when Debby Gilbert of Soul Mate Publishing offered me a contract. The following year, Johanna Melaragno of The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract for A Season for Killing Blondes.

From the camp of left brainers, I salute you! And big congratulations on both novels. 😀 Tell us one thing about yourself your readers may not know about you.

After retiring, I filled my life with several “Yin” activities among them book clubs, writing, scrapbooking, and yoga. In need of a “Yang” activity, I decided to join Toastmasters. I’ve been a member for seven years and have achieved my Bronze certification. (I’m two speeches away from Silver) I’ve also won and placed in club, area, and division contests and held several executive positions.

Oh my God, I’m terrified of public speaking! I consciously have to keep myself from hyperventilating and running out of the room, screaming. That’s awesome–you go, girl! What are you working on now?

In August, Soul Mate Publishing will release The Coming of Arabella, Book 2 of the Mediterranean trilogy. I have two WIPs in various stages of completion – Book 3 of the Mediterranean trilogy and Book 2 of the Gilda Greco Mystery series.

Fantastic! Looking forward to it. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story with us. Check out A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES!

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Blurb

Hours before the opening of her career counseling practice, Gilda Greco discovers the dead body of golden girl Carrie Ann Godfrey, neatly arranged in the dumpster outside her office. Gilda’s life and budding career are stalled as Detective Carlo Fantin, her former high school crush, conducts the investigation.

When three more dead blondes turn up all brutally strangled and deposited near Gilda’s favorite haunts, she is pegged as a prime suspect for the murders. Frustrated by Carlo’s chilly detective persona and the mean girl antics of Carrie Ann’s meddling relatives, Gilda decides to launch her own investigation. She discovers a gaggle of suspects, among them a yoga instructor in need of anger management training, a lecherous photographer, and fourteen ex-boyfriends.

As the puzzle pieces fall into place, shocking revelations emerge, forcing Gilda to confront the envy and deceit she has long overlooked.

Trailer

https://youtu.be/QURgFbybQVw

BUY LINKS

Amazon (Canada) – http://is.gd/t0g1KZ

Amazon (United States) – http://is.gd/jADjPp

Amazon (United Kingdom) – http://is.gd/8mknFJ

Amazon (Australia) – http://is.gd/r843iX

Kobo – http://is.gd/BpO9gY

More about Joanne:

Guidoccio 001

In high school, Joanne dabbled in poetry, but it would be over three decades before she entertained the idea of writing as a career. She listened to her practical Italian side and earned degrees in mathematics and education. She experienced many fulfilling moments as she watched her students develop an appreciation (and sometimes, love) of mathematics. Later, she obtained a post-graduate diploma as a career development practitioner and put that skill set to use in the co-operative education classroom. She welcomed this opportunity to help her students experience personal growth and acquire career direction through their placements.

In 2008, she took advantage of early retirement and decided to launch a second career that would tap into her creative side and utilize her well-honed organizational skills. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes paranormal romance, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Where to find Joanne:

Website:   http://joanneguidoccio.com/

Twitter:   https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio

Pinterest:   http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio

One lucky commenter will receive an eBook of A SEASON FOR KILLING BLONDES! 

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Guest blog and character interview with Fix Ainran!

Welcome, ladies and gents! I’m happy to welcome Fix Ainran, the hero of Kira Shayde’s erotic paranormal romance, DESIRES AT WAR. You don’t want to miss this one, he’s quite the guy if I do say so myself. 😉

L.D.: Welcome, Fix! Pleasure to meet you. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Fix: I’m a 28-year-old lion-shifter from New Tanzania. I’ve spent the last year in a wheelchair.

L.D.: Sounds like you’ve been through a lot. Let’s backtrack. What kind of work did you used to do?

Fix: Before I was injured, I was a career soldier. Spent five years in the Alpha Force and then another five in the Alpha Elites as a marksman.

L.D.: Sounds intense! Before the story began, what were your hopes for the future?

Fix: *takes a deep breath* Didn’t have much, honestly. Knew I’d never be a soldier again. Guess I was kinda floundering.

L.D.: What changed?

Fix: Falling for Caryn. She gives me hope and strength. Sounds corny, I know, but she gives me something to fight for
a better world where hyenas have the same rights as lions. That and convincing her I’m the right man for her.

L.D.: I’m sure it didn’t take much convincing. 😉 What do you love most about Caryn Plumar?

Fix: The sound of her laughter and the dimples in her cheeks when she smiles. And her toughness. When she shifts to hyena, watch out. Those jaws of hers are killer. But I think what I love the most about Caryn is how she’s raw and honest.

L.D.: Aw, that’s wonderful! Relationships can’t survive without honesty or trust. If you had a day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

Fix: *laughs* Spend it curled up in bed with my babe, Caryn.

L.D.: Curling up with the one you love sounds like a good day to me. Okay, let’s talk booze. Favorite drink?

Fix: Dark beer. Nothing better than a King Oryx Dark Lager.

L.D.: Agreed! Although I tend to like my beer lighter. Favorite music?

Fix: Everything from rock to bongo flava.

L.D.: Bongo flava! I’ve got to check that out. Well, it looks like we’re running out of time. Any parting thoughts?

Fix: I’m just a guy fighting for answers. Someday I’ll find out who knocked me off that cliff in the barren lands and turned me over to the rogue hyenas as a prisoner of war. Until then, I’m working on my recovery one step at a time, begrudgingly helping my father with a parliamentary alliance, and accepting that my former Alpha Elites commander mated my sister.

L.D.: I hope you find all of the answers you’re searching for, Fix. Good luck and keep Caryn close to keep you afloat. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!

Check out DESIRES AT WAR to learn more about Fix’s journey!

Primal Shifters Book 2: Desires at War

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Passion and danger on the Serengeti in a world where the animals are humans
shape-shifting humans.

Months as a POW leaves lion shifter Fix Ainran struggling to recover, but he can’t get the curvaceous Caryn Plumar out of his mind. Yet the beautiful daughter of the hyena Chairman only torments the disabled former soldier with heated trysts before pulling away.

No matter how much she desires Fix’s touch, Caryn’s obligations involve more than fighting for an independent hyena state in a land ruled by lions and fraught with war. She must sacrifice any chance of happiness and freedom by marrying within the clan to ensure her safety.

Unable to stay apart, Fix and Caryn defy societal rules and risk their lives as they battle enemies, search for the truth about his captivity
and fall in love.

Buy Links

Loose Id, LLC: http://www.loose-id.com/primal-shifters-2-desires-at-war.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Desires-War-Primal-Shifters-Book-ebook/dp/B00YAZPA5Q

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-desiresatwar-1815112-340.html

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/desires-at-war-kira-shayde/1122017239?ean=9781623009090

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/desires-at-war

About Kira Shayde

Kira enjoys studying love, sex, and relationships, and has a weakness for shifters.

As a romance writer, Kira explores somewhat atypical pairings and settings and can’t help adding a twinge of societal awareness to her works, but the focus is always on the developing romance, passion, and happy endings. In her erotic romances, you won’t find any hard-core BDSM. Kira prefers her hero and heroine to share the power and share the love.

A former university research associate and wildlife rehabilitator, Kira is addicted to the Instagram accounts of conservation groups and sanctuaries and spends far too much time online looking at pictures of birds, big cats, wolves, chocolate desserts, and Jamie Dornan.

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.kirashayde.com

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

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8319459.Kira_Shayde

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kirashayde

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Guest blog and author interview with Angela Scavone!

Hey everyone! I have the very awesome Angela Scavone on my blog today (just in time for Memorial Day!) talking about her latest release, A JOURNEY HOME, starring a heroine who escorts fallen soldiers back home from war-torn countries. How can you not want to read this book?! Read on to find out more about this great novel and Angela herself. 🙂

L.D.: Tell us about your latest release!

Angela: My latest release is a contemporary romance about an Air Force captain, Steph, who flies back and forth from war zones bringing home the bodies of fallen soldiers. She then gets partnered up with her ex-husband DA. You can only imagine how that can turn out 🙂

L.D.: I’m already in love with the concept! What was the hardest thing about writing this book? The easiest?

Angela: The hardest thing was the research. The number of heartbreaking stories I read, to gain insight into military procedures, was unbelievable. The easiest was the characters–they were so likeable from the start. I loved writing their story and how they evolved throughout the book.

L.D.: I can just imagine how sad those stories are. :/ Particularly when it involves the death of one of our fallen heroes. If you could bring one of your characters (villain or hero) to life, who would you choose? Why?

Angela: I would totally bring DA to life. He is such a down to earth guy that I think he would be fun to have around in real life (not to mention super hot!!!).

L.D.: Oh, yeah! A super hot military man? *swoon* Okay, so Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about your latest novel. Who plays the main characters?

Angela: Bradley Cooper as DA (see, totally hot!) and Jennifer Lawrence as Steph. I know it sounds like Silver Linings Playbook, but I think they would play these characters well. Steph is a strong person that only Jennifer Lawrence could portray and Bradley Cooper — well, he’s Bradley Cooper. 🙂

Bradley-Cooper-028

L.D.: Ha, you’ve got that right! And I LOVE Jennifer Lawrence! Great casting, Silver Linings Playbook or not. 😉 So tell us a little about yourself.

Angela: By day, I am a corporate application analyst who works for the public school board analyzing student data. But by night, I am a writer who likes to spend time with her two pups and my wonderful little niece and nephew.

L.D.: Sounds wonderful! Tell us one thing about yourself your readers may not know about you.

Angela: I like to cook, I’m not good at it by any stretch of the imagination. However, I am lactose intolerant, so I like to try and make recipes that are lactose-free. I have successfully made many lactose free meals, however some aren’t so successful. Once I tried to make pudding–I love pudding–and I hadn’t found a way to make it lactose-free without it tasting horrible. This time I tried to make it with tofu, peanut butter and banana. I was told it would be absolutely delicious…I was lied to. It was absolutely horrendous, so sadly I am still in search of a lactose-free pudding recipe that tastes delicious.

L.D.: Oh, no! I wish I could help, but I am most definitely not a cook, never mind when it comes to lactose-free, gluten-free, whatever-free foods. Maybe one of our readers could help out! Feel free to chime in with a good recipe, dear Reader. 🙂 So, Angela, tell us what you’re working on now.

Angela: I’m actually working on two manuscripts. One is a christmas story that involves the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and a fictional history of its origin. The second manuscript I’m working on is a contemporary romance involving time travel. 🙂 The time travel romance is in extremely early stages though.

L.D.: Both sound awesome and I’m looking forward to reading them! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story with us. This sounds like a great read for tomorrow, doesn’t it? 😉

A JOURNEY HOME:

What a great cover!

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Blurb:

Stephanie Tyler’s sole job is to fly overseas to war torn areas of the world to retrieve and escort the bodies of fallen soldiers back home to the United States. It is a tough and emotional job but she is honored for the privilege. Her duty also helps her to escape her past and her failed marriage.

But those flights have become increasingly more dangerous and she is forced to have a partner accompany her. Much to Stephanie’s surprise and dismay, she is partnered up with her ex-husband, Captain “D.A.” Douglas Aston.

From the moment Captain D.A. enters the scene, he irritates her. It could have something to do with the fact he slept with her best friend while they were married. As they go on several missions together, Stephanie is forced to be courteous and professional with D.A. even though the very sight of him irritates her beyond comprehension.

Then, Stephanie’s cheating, husband stealing, ex-best friend is killed in Afghanistan and Stephanie and D.A. must escort her body home. While executing this difficult duty, a myriad of conflicting emotions makes Stephanie ponder how short life really is . . . and to question her own ability to forgive.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W3UK05A/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_BdEyvb0TBT4WP

Excerpt:

The phone intercom buzzed and Pam came over the speaker. “Sorry to interrupt, Colonel, but you wanted me to let you know when Captain Aston was here.”

I stared at the Colonel wide-eyed.

He merely smiled and said, “Thanks, Pam. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“He’s here now?” I asked, incredulously.

“Didn’t I mention that?” He rose from his chair and walked to the door as I stood and straightened my uniform.

The Colonel stood with his hand on the doorknob, watching me fuss. “You look tremendous, Captain.”

“What? Oh I don’t care what I look like for him,” I immediately protested, waving my hand in the air.

“Of course.” He was still smiling as he opened the door. “Captain Aston, please come in.”

I heard his voice first. “Thank you, Colonel.”

I glanced down at my uniform to make sure everything was in place before he came into the room. When I looked back up, Captain Aston was walking through the door.

To the female eye, he was a very attractive man. He stood at six-four and was well built, but not so much that muscles and tendons were popping out everywhere. He had a strong jaw and black hair just long enough to run your fingers through. Dressed in full uniform, his handsome features were even more prominent.

Not that I noticed.

“Please come in and we can discuss your new role.”

“Yes, Sir.” Captain DA put out his hand for me to shake, flashing his killer smile that started in his bright blue eyes and ended in a set of mouth-framing dimples. “Good to see you again, Captain.”

I returned his smile and handshake, determined to be professional in front of the Colonel even if it killed me.

Colonel Madison resumed his place behind his desk. “Please sit. This is a quick, informal meeting to get reacquainted with each other.”

I remained on my feet which kept both men standing. “Sir, with all due respect,” I began, facing the Colonel, “I cannot work with Captain Aston.” Apparently, my mouth wasn’t on board with being professional.

“Why not?” DA asked, sounding offended.

I ignored his question and kept my attention on the Colonel, who looked as if he were about to laugh. “We used to be married.”

“I know that.” He smiled.

“Our marriage did not end on a positive note,” I continued, “and I don’t think I can work with him on a day to day basis. In fact, I left Virginia to get away from him.”

“You know, I’m standing right here,” DA chimed in.

“Captain Tyler, are you telling me you can’t put your differences aside to work together as a team? Even though I asked you as a personal favor?” The Colonel’s smile had vanished and there was now a warning in his tone.

“No, Sir.” I heard the warning and decided it was time to back off the fight. “I’ll try putting our differences aside to work together, but I can’t promise I won’t kill him in the process.”

The Colonel coughed out a chuckle. “That’s all I can ask for. Now, you—hopefully—have some time off before another call comes in. Why don’t you show Captain DA around?”

The Colonel spoke as I reached for the door handle. “I’m curious, off the record, of course. How did your marriage end? I remember the wedding. You two seemed so compatible and so in love. What happened?”

DA and I looked at each other for the first time since his arrival.

“He cheated on me with a friend of mine,” I replied baldly.

“I did not cheat on you! How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?” he retorted, all vestiges of professionalism gone.

“Oh, here we go again!” I shouted back. “I came home early, I walked into the kitchen and there was Alex on top of you on the kitchen floor.”

“I told you it wasn’t what it looked like. I have said over and over again that I did not sleep with Alex!” His tone increased until he was shouting, too.

“You’re telling me that you two never slept together?” I demanded an answer.

“Well . . .” He looked away from me. “Not while we were married.”

“I knew it!”

“It was after we were separated and you had moved here! What did you want me to do? Never sleep with anyone again?”

“You can sleep with whomever or whatever you want for all I care—”

“Ahem.” The Colonel cut in. I jerked back, startled; in the heat of arguing with my frustrating ex, I had forgotten my boss was there.

“Sorry, Sir. Do you see why I can’t work with him?”

The Colonel regarded us both. “Alex?” he questioned DA.

“Alexandra Keating, Sir. She was Stephanie’s best friend.”

“Best friend, my left toe! She’s a traitorous, backstabbing, two-faced, lying, husband stealing bitch.”

“Wow, that’s quite descriptive, Captain. Why don’t you tell us your true feelings about her?” Both of the Colonel’s eyebrows rose in shock.

“I’m only speaking the truth, Sir.” I addressed the Colonel but glared at DA.

“Well.” He clapped his hands together to signal the end of our bickering. “I know you two can be respectful when escorting a fallen soldier home and I know you will be professional during the dignified transfer ceremonies. However, please try and be professional at other times as well or at least civil to each other.” He waved us toward the door.

DA and I both nodded and exited the office. Before we could leave the reception area, the Colonel poked his head out of his office door.

“And, Captain Tyler-”

“Sir?”

“Try not to kill him, please. He just arrived at our base and it wouldn’t look good in the press.”

Knowing the Colonel had a wicked sense of humor, I still couldn’t find my own jocularity. “No promises, Sir, But I’ll give it my best shot.”

“That’s all I ask.”

(Haha, I LOVE IT!)

More about Angela Scavone:

Angela lives in Ontario, Canada sharing her home with her father and two much-loved pups (and one evil cat).  She currently works for the Board of Education behind the scenes supporting and analyzing student data, however, in her spare time, apart from her avid love of storytelling, she likes to read, spend time with family and friends and concoct dairy free recipes from scratch. Sometimes she wins some and sometimes she loses some – tofu, banana and peanut butter pudding we are looking at you.

Where you can find Angela:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/angela.scavone.52

Twitter https://twitter.com/busterwhyte

Good Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6683076-angela-scavone

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

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Guest blog and character interview with Grace McConnell!

Hey everyone! Today I have my very first character interview with Grace McConnell from Kim Loraine’s RESTORATION. She has a fascinating (and sad) story and I’m really excited to have her here today.

L.D.: Hi Grace! Welcome. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Grace: Hello! I’m thirty-three years old. I’m from Golden Beach, Virginia and until recently I’d never lived anywhere else. My parents still live there.

L.D.: I’ve been to Virginia Beach twice and had a great time, but I understand about staying close to your parents when you were engaged. More on that later. Tell us about your work.

Grace: I’m a restorative architect. I restore historic structures and make sure they maintain their historical status. I love it.

L.D.: That sounds like a lot of fun! One of my goals is to restore an abandoned old church someday and make it my home. If you had a day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

Grace: I guess that depends on who I am with. If I were by myself I’d spend the day in Scotland, roaming the highlands, checking out all of the amazing architecture of the castles and ancient structures that are still standing.

L.D.: I’d love to go to Scotland someday. I’ve never been and I’m sure the architecture is wonderful. Favorite alcoholic beverage?

Grace: Red wine. Lemondrop Martinis come a close second though.

L.D.: Mmm, lemondrop martinis! We should have a round now. 😉 Along with some really good music. What’s your favorite band?

Grace: I love something with a nice driving beat. I’m a runner and my playlist is always upbeat to help me keep going. Muse is usually my go-to, but I’m not against a little Britney Spears either.

L.D.: Muse is great! And I’m not against Britney either–she has some great songs to dance to. Running is so exhilarating, isn’t it? Especially when you’re listening to something with a hefty dose of bass. 😀 Now let’s get down to business and talk about that sexy Brit you met in the U.K. What do you love most about Drew?

Grace: He’s kind. It is easy for people to be nice. Nice is so different from kind. Drew’s kindness is there in everything he does. He genuinely cares about his friends, his family, and his community.

L.D.: He sounds like a great guy. And I think there’s definitely a difference between “nice” and “kind”. Nice seems obligatory whereas kindness is genuine. Before RESTORATION began, what were your hopes for the future?

Grace: My hopes were to eventually marry John. To build a life in Golden Beach, have a family, be happy.

L.D.: What changed?

Grace: Everything. John died. My world ended. I left everything I’d ever known and took a job in the U.K. just to get away from it all.

L.D.: Which is totally understandable, as I’m sure many would do the same. I’m so sorry to hear about John. 😩 Sometimes we have to take a risk and do something big for ourselves to help us heal, which it sounds like you did. And I’m sure Drew helped a little with that too. 😉

Well, it looks like our time is up! Do you have any parting thoughts for our readers before you go?

Grace: Hm, that’s tough. I feel like I need to lay some wisdom down on you or something. I guess I’ll just say, it gets better. I was at my worst until I met Drew. I’d thought I would never find another person I could love again. He proved me wrong.

L.D.: And I’m so glad he did! I’m looking forward to reading more about your story in RESTORATION. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Check out Grace in RESTORATION, a fantastic contemporary romance by Kim Loraine.

Restoration #7b Final (medium 600X900) copy

After the tragic death of her fiancĂ©, Grace McConnell turns to the only remaining constant in her life, her work. So when she’s offered the lead position for an international restoration project, she jumps at the chance to get away from her small town, full of John’s memories.

Drew Tensley has always been a hard worker. Dedicated to his family and community, he put aside his own London career to take over the family business after his mother’s terminal diagnosis. Five years later, he’s ready to start living for himself when he literally runs into his hometown’s newest architect.

Grace quickly discovers that traveling halfway across the world was the best decision she’s ever made. Until she meets Drew, a man whose personality and lifestyle are the exact opposite of John’s, but whose face is the spitting image. Struggling with her own motivations and feelings, research uncovers secrets she isn’t ready for; secrets that could ruin her second chance for true love.

Buy link for Restoration: http://amzn.com/B00VS8X28U

EXCERPT:

“So, this is really something people do here? Dress up and pretend they’re colonials?”

“Well, they’re paid. It’s a job for them, and I think they’re a little crazy.” She smiled and elbowed him. “I mean, who would want to pretend to be … English?”

“Oi, watch it, you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. “I’ll teach you not to be so cheeky.”

“Really? Promise?”

Drew lowered his lips to hers in a searing kiss. His hand pressed against her lower back and pulled her to him.

“Promise,” he whispered, heat in his voice.

Her heart sped up as his breath feathered across her neck. “Let’s go.” She wiggled away from him, a heated blush creeping up her cheeks as she noticed the few people on the street who’d stopped to watch them.

“How long until we’re somewhere private, love?”

“A few hours at least, depending on traffic.”

He groaned. “I don’t think I can wait that long.”

She tried to hide her smile of satisfaction at his professed need. “We could always go back to the hotel. If you don’t want to see our display of independence from English dominance and tyranny.”

“Oh, I’ll give you plenty of English dominance and tyranny. In fact, I’m reasonably sure you’re going to quite enjoy it.”

(Ah, I love it! :D)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Loraine started writing at a young age, scribbling down song lyrics, short stories, and poems she was too afraid to share with anyone. Busy working as a music teacher in her Pacific Northwest hometown, it wasn’t until her family of four picked up everything and moved to beautiful Japan that she decided to finally take the plunge and send her characters out into the world.

The central theme in Kim’s books is self-discovery, whether that is found through taking risks, breaking down walls, or admitting mistakes. Kim likes to write characters that seem like ‘someone you actually know’, who find that love is a journey not without its challenges.

When not writing Kim spends her time with her husband, chasing around their crazy kids, exploring Japan, and binge-watching Doctor Who on Netflix.

Web site: http://www.kimlorainewriter.com/

Follow me on Twitter: @kimloraine2

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

Contact Kim at: kimlorainewriter@gmail.com

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The mad rush for THE END.

I’m over at the SMP blog today talking about the exhilaration of typing The End. Stop on by for a wee bit of entertainment. 😀

https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/the-mad-rush-for-the-end/