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ONCE UPON A LADY by Addie Jo Ryleigh, now available!

Book eight in The Soul Mate Tree series is now available! Check out this fab historical romance by the lovely Addie Jo Ryleigh. Sounds like an awesome read! ❤

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My new release, Once Upon a Lady, is book eight of The Soul Mate Tree Series and I couldn’t be prouder to share in a venture that showcases the talents of so many amazing romance authors across a variety of genres. When I was first approached by Char Chaffin asking if I’d be interested in joining the project, my first thought was ‘I’ve never written a novella before.’ **gulp** After convincing myself that I could indeed capture an entire story in the length of a novella, I jumped on board. Taking a break from my debut Regency series, Men of Circumstance, I started to toss around ideas and quickly stumbled upon Kate and Jackson.

Lost in duty, if there was anyone needing the assistance of the mystical Soul Mate Tree, it was Kate. And who better to help her discover her destiny than Jackson, a man equally adrift. As soon as I saw the beautiful cover created by Wren Taylor, I knew I had my story.

Their path, navigated by the poetic legend created by Char and Cheryl Yeko, was filled with plenty of obstacles but once they embraced the gift granted by the tree, not even Kate’s ducal father could stand in their way.

The Legend of the Soul Mate Tree:

I am old, I am ancient, my purpose is clear

To give those who are needy a treasure so dear.

They who come to my roots, touch my bark, stroke my leaves

Find the soul of their lives if they but believe.

When I call and you listen, your prize will be great

If your heart remains open and you don’t hesitate.

Do you yearn? Be you lonely? Is your time yet at hand?

Reach for me and I’ll give to you. I’m yours to command.

For your trust, for your faith, keep my secrets untold

And I’ll gift you forever, to have and to hold.

The Soul Mate Tree Series Trailer: https://youtu.be/VjxyyD3TVoA

Once Upon a Lady Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/9dTCinBMS3k?list=PLjitsNVe3r5rkYdJ0yNZJqR_vrvhZAm_t

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BLURB:

An ancient legend spanning eras, continents, and worlds. To some, it’s nothing more than a dream. To others, a pretty fairy tale handed down through the generations.

For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.

Respectable Lady Katherine Baxton, striving to meet the requirements of her station, has become the ultimate dutiful daughter. And now, the Duke of Blackthorn’s betrothed. Far from a love match, Kate is nevertheless determined to do as expected and marry.

That all changes the night she panics at her impending future and runs, stumbling upon a private grove, a mysterious tree. . . and a half-naked man.

The youngest son of a viscount widely thought to have purchased his title, Jackson Cooper demonstrates his disdain for the aristocracy by affording himself every luxury available—drinking, wenching, and gambling—while eschewing anything representing the ton. Jackson has little care for his reputation and no desire to marry. His escape from London is all but complete.

Until fate—in the form of a beautiful, mysterious lady—interrupts his plans, enticing him with the very thing he never wanted.

BUY LINK: http://a.co/1z2J4ds

Short Excerpt:

Kate felt his approach before she saw him. Which wasn’t all that surprising since her body had remained mindful of his presence. Fighting the impulse proved fruitless.

When his tall frame blocked the sun and cast her in shadow, she knew besides giving him a direct cut, she had no escape. If only she hadn’t ventured from her sister’s side. At the time, abandoning Helena had been her singular option since their slow stroll through the gathering had traveled too close to the very man standing beside her. She’d been delaying the inevitable.

Kate was now alone, as she tried to keep her attention on the lawn activities before her, hoping no one would witness what was about to happen.

“Aren’t sprites confined to the trees?” His deep voice washed over her.

She didn’t turn to acknowledge him. “How nice to see you properly dressed for once.”

His chuckle warmed her. “Are you following me?”

An unladylike snort refused to be repressed. “Hardly. You are rather difficult to overlook, being the only unknown face here.”

“That’s not true. You’ve seen my face . . . as well as other, more interesting parts.”

Kate wished she’d listened to her sister and worn a bonnet. Anything to mask the heat flaring in her cheeks.

Thankfully he remained at her side and hadn’t a clear view of her face. “We have not been introduced. I can’t be seen speaking to you.”

“Then let us go where we can’t be seen.”

Her heart raced at his boldness. Why was this man so tempting? She was spoken for, though still unofficially. Proper ladies didn’t follow strange men to private locations, regardless of their marital status. “Absolutely not.”

“Even if I have something of yours?”

Blast! Her ring. Given her luck lately, she would have lost it in the grove of all places. Her aunt would toss in her grave knowing Kate had misplaced her gift.

“A true gentleman would return it.”

His deep laugh caused her pulse to flutter. “I’m no gentleman. Or haven’t you heard?”

Addie Jo Ryleigh

Bio:

Addie Jo Ryleigh writes historical regency romances that feature rakish heroes and strong feisty heroines.

Addie Jo has lived in the same cold-winter-hot-summer area of Minnesota her entire life. Sharing in the raising of her three extremely rambunctious boys is her very understanding husband who endured being dubbed “The Duke” by his co-workers. Keeping Addie Jo company while she writes (besides her wonderfully loud children) is her yorkipoo, Bella, who is never far from Addie Jo’s side. And recently the newest addition to their family, a black lab named Max.

Addie Jo has always had a love and passion for romance books and became engrossed in historical romance (particularly Regency) soon after graduating from Lurlene McDaniel’s young adult books. Currently, Addie Jo reads any genre that has a great emotional story that keeps her reading into the early hours of the morning.

Addie Jo has a bachelor degree in accounting and is a financial coordinator when not playing chauffeur for her hockey-playing boys, cuddled up with a good book, or writing her next story.

Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.addiejoryleigh.com
Amazon: http://bit.ly/AddieJoRyleigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AddieJoRyleigh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AddieJoRyleigh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AddieJoRyleigh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addiejoryleigh

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

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The Soul Mate Tree Series: THE TRAIL TO LOVE by Tina Susedik!

The fourth novella of THE SOUL MATE TREE SERIES is now available! My contribution, SWEET SACRIFICE, is slated for release in Sept. 2017 (woot!) but check out the next story of the series, a historical western romance by Tina Susedik! 😀

The Legend of The Soul Mate Tree:

I am old, I am ancient, my purpose is clear

To give those who are needy a treasure so dear.

They who come to my roots, touch my bark, stroke my leaves

Find the soul of their lives if they but believe.

When I call and you listen, your prize will be great

If your heart remains open and you don’t hesitate.

Do you yearn? Be you lonely? Is your time yet at hand?

Reach for me and I’ll give to you. I’m yours to command.

For your trust, for your faith, keep my secrets untold

And I’ll gift you forever, to have and to hold.

13233138_10208131558160267_5300339306632258159_n

An ancient legend spanning eras, continents, and worlds. To some, it’s nothing more than a dream. To others, a pretty fairy tale handed down through the generations.

For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.

Jack Billabard, mourning the loss of his wife and baby in childbirth, vows to never to love again. After their funeral at Fort Laramie, he rides into the Wyoming hills beyond the ranch he built for his wife. Through his grieving tears, an ancient tree appears, giving him the hope he doesn’t believe is possible. For the next four years, he acts as a guide on the Oregon Trail, taking families to a new life while his looms lonely and stagnant.

The night before her abusive husband’s death, an ancient tree appears in Sarah Nickelson’s yard as she agonizes over how to survive her marriage. The tree gives her hope she can’t help but reject. After all, a tree doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. After her husband ‘s death, and with no options as a widow in Independence, Missouri, Sarah decides to travel to Oregon City as a Mail Order Bride.

During their trek west on the Oregon Trail, Jack and Sarah encounter one another, each afraid of being hurt again. Can they survive dogs and puppies, wind and rainstorms, Indians and unfavorable fellow passengers, while their love blossoms? Will the tree fulfill its promise?

Book Trailer for The Soul Mate Tree: https://youtu.be/VjxyyD3TVoA

AMAZON BUY LINK: http://a.co/b6qMBBB

EXCERPT:

Cold seeped into his bones. Something warm blew across his face and ears. Jack swatted at his ears and peeled one gritty eye open.

“Papaya!” He pushed at the horse’s nose. “Go away.” Papaya continued prodding at him. “Damn horse.” He rubbed his cold hands together.

In the dim light, he wasn’t sure if it was morning or evening. The previous day’s events came back to him. He sat up and wiped a hand over his stubbly chin. Tears burned behind his eyes.

Papaya tugged at his sleeve until the only thing he could do was stand. “Dammit, horse, leave me alone.” He pushed the horse to the side. The sun rising behind the mountains from the east cast a shadow on a tree Jack swore hadn’t been there the night before.

Standing at least twenty feet high, the trunk was twisted and gnarled like the arthritic hands of his grandfather. Several roots rose from the ground making it look as if it would walk away. Some of its massive branches drooped close to the ground, like arms dragging across the grass.

As the sky lightened, he realized that, unlike the rough bark of the pines at this altitude, the tree’s light brown bark was smooth. Was it the lighting, or did some of the bark actually seem golden while in other places it was rough and dark brown? The surrounding trees paled in comparison.

Jack stepped closer. Pale green, oval leaves reminded him of an elm tree, only much smaller. When the wind blew, the undersides shimmered with a silvery glow.

Had he been so distraught yesterday he’d missed the massive structure? The tree seemed to beckon, calling him to its embrace. He dipped beneath its branches.

His hand shook as he reached out to touch the trunk. The instant he came in contact, his icy fingers warmed. Then his arm. He tried to pull away, but he couldn’t move.

Warmth spread through his body then settled in his aching heart. Was he hallucinating or was the tree humming? Had the tree actually whispered, “Love will come.”

A calmness settled over him and the darkness of the past few days diminished.

Between the hanging branches a person, surrounded by a foggy haze, appeared. Actually, two people. One tall, the other waist high, with a smaller version of Jack’s hat on its head. Suspenders held up too-short pants over the little one’s plaid shirt. A woman and a boy? They held hands, swinging them back and forth as if they hadn’t a care in the world. The woman’s bonnet hung down her back, loose hair flowing to her waist.

Was the tree showing him what Lily and his child would have been like if they’d lived? His heartbeat pounded in his ears, and he swore his heart cracked. As quickly as the despair washed over him, the tree hummed again and his heart warmed and peace settled through him.

Then the woman looked over her shoulder. This wasn’t Lily. The sun struck the vision. Instead of his wife’s dark hair, this woman’s shimmered like gold. Even from this distance, her sparkling blue eyes pierced through him.

Her smile beckoned him, and when she crooked her finger, all he could do was follow. The closer he came, the farther away they moved, until their bodies faded and nothing stood before him except the large boulder he’d slept against.

The tree. What if he touched the tree again? He pivoted on his foot, ready to run back and feel the twisted branches. What the hell? Maybe he’d lost his bearings while chasing the woman and boy. He spun in each direction. Nothing. The tree was gone. Poof. Was he losing his mind and dreaming the whole incident?

Something light brown on the ground caught his eye. Jack picked it up, his fingers warming at its touch. Bark from the disappearing tree? Had it all been real after all? If so, then where had the woman and boy gone?

Jack retraced the steps he’d taken to follow them. Only his own impressions in the dirt showed. He was going crazy. That was it. Crazy from grief. Maybe what he needed was to get away from the land and the memories it held.

Papaya pushed against Jack’s back, nearly knocking him to the ground.

“What do you think, old boy?” He ran his hand over the horse’s soft nose and recalled Samuel Hunt’s offer of a job from before he’d married Lily. “Should I see if Sam still needs someone to help take those crazy emigrants to Oregon?”

As if he understood what Jack was saying, Papaya nodded his large head.

“Well, since I’m already crazy, I might as well listen to you.”

After a quick breakfast of cold biscuits and hard tack, he swung onto Papaya’s back and headed back down the mountain. Back to his empty home and future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tina Susedik is a multi-published author with books in both fiction and non-fiction, including history, children’s, and military books. Her favorite is writing romance stories where her characters live happily ever after. She lives in Northwestern Wisconsin and is a member of Wisconsin Romance Writers of America.

This is her sixth book with Soul Mate Publishing. 

Where to find her:

Website: http://tinasusedik.wordpress.com./

Twitter: @tinasusedik

Facebook: Tina Susedik, Author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17908316-riding-for-love

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

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Historical Romance Spotlight: HIGHLAND HOPE by Madelyn Hill

Hello, lovelies! I’m neck-deep in edits on BLACK BULLET (!!!) but I wanted to share fellow SMP author, Madelyn Hill’s latest historical romance release with you! Definitely looks hot, hot, hot! Also, check out her great giveaway below. 😀  Hope you’re all doing well and you’ll hear more from me soon! ❤

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BLURB:

“Remember, lasses. Through Hope, Faith and Honor, ye can rule,” were the last words Lady Hope MacAlister’s father spoke before dying. Those very words direct her every action and thought. Sword fighting and leading the men of her clan was second nature to Hope and she has little time for herself or any thoughts of love. Until Aidan MacKerry is captured spying on the clan.

She is beautiful, strong, and quick to pull a sword. But when he kisses her, all thoughts of the lairdship Aidan MacKerry seeks flee his mind. When the enemy continues to undermine Hope, Aidan is determined to aid her—only he didn’t think he’d lose his heart to the Laird of Wild Thistle Keep. When the enemy reveals Aidan’s secret, he must fight for his right to be laird and prove, despite their differences, he loves Hope.

The enemy refuses to back down and continues to threaten not only Hope, but the security of the entire clan. Only together will they be able to save the clan and save their love.

BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I06XNX6

GIVEAWAY: a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Madelyn Promo-Photo

Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier!

A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They now have 3 children and keep busy cooking, watching their children’s sporting events, and of course reading!

Where to find her:
Email:  madelynhill68@gmail.com
Website: www.madelynhill.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/madelyn.hill.94

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AuthorMaddyHill

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Book Spotlight: As the Liquor Flows by Angela Christina Archer!

I love, love, LOVE stories related to the depression-era, especially when they involve gangsters. 😉 So when I saw this book, and this cover (!!!), I HAD to spotlight it for fellow author, Angela Christina Archer. Not only is the cover dazzling, but the blurb sounds awesome and it definitely sent me clicking over to Amazon. Check it out and see if it blows your wig. 😛

As the Liquor Flows Red no shadow

BLURB:

Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929, the day the stock market crashed, and the day Evelyn Ford will never forget.

With the untimely death of her parents and the loss of their only income, Evelyn, and her brother, Frank flee to a make-shift hovel built in Central Park.

After Frank mysteriously goes missing, bare cupboards force Evelyn to seek employment anywhere she can find work, even if that means working at a burlesque theater.

Catching the attention of Don Vincent Giovanni, a Kingpin in the New York mafia, Evelyn discovers that Frank is serving time in prison for running hooch and he owes Vincent a lot of money. In order to pay off her brother’s debt, Evelyn is thrown into the world of mobsters and bootlegging.

Between running hooch all over the city of New York and trying to save her brother, Evelyn finds herself drawn to Max Catalano, Vincent’s Consigliere. Even with secrets of his own, he’s the only one she can trust when she entangles herself in the middle of the New York mafia crime wars.

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Liquor-Flows-Angela-Christina-Archer-ebook/dp/B01CLKULWS/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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Angela lives on a ranch with her husband, two daughters, and many farm animals. She was born and raised in Nevada, and grew up riding and showing horses from hunter jumper, English equitation, western pleasure, trail, and halter. While she doesn’t show anymore, she still loves to trail ride her paint horse, Honky. In December of 2007, she and her husband moved to Oklahoma.

From a young age, she always wanted to write a novel. However, she never believed she could write anything well enough for a publisher to even consider her. Every time the desire flickered, she shoved the thought from my mind until one morning, in 2009, she awoke with the determination to follow her dream.

Where to find her:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Angela-Christina-Archer-121833387901997/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorACArcher
Website: http://angelachristinaarcher.com/
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Book Spotlight: HEATHER IN THE MIST by Madelyn Hill

And now for a book spotlight for the lovely, Madelyn Hill! Here’s her latest historical romance, HEATHER IN THE MIST. Read on to find out more about this Scottish love story. 😀

heatherinthemist (200)BLURB:

Forced to wed to save her clan, Lady Rogan Cameron agrees to wed without love. What her father doesn’t know is Lady Rogan has plans of her own—plans to keep her from a loveless marriage. Can she save the clan before she has to say “I do?”

Ian Albright abolished all ties to Scotland after his family betrayed him and he is now nursing a wounded ego due to an unfaithful fiancée. He pledges never to return to his home until the fateful day he accepts an invitation to his dear cousin’s wedding. The minute he sees his cousin’s betrothed, his heart is captured. If only she didn’t belong to another . . .

Lady Rogan and Ian have known each other since they were young and bent on vexing each other. Now, the only thing they find vexing is the fact Rogan is betrothed to another. Together they fight their growing attraction while investigating the forces bedeviling the clan. Yet at every turn their foe appears and wreaks havoc. When tragedy strikes, their hopes are dashed again.

Can Lady Rogan and Ian’s love win when fate seems determined to keep them apart?

BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015EFRB6G/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Madelyn Promo-Photo

Madelyn Hill has always loved the written word. From the time she could read and all through her school years, she’d sneak books into her textbooks during school. And she devoured books daily. At the age of 10 she proclaimed she wanted to be a writer. After being a “closet” writer for several years, she sent her manuscripts out there and is now published with Soul Mate Publishing. And she couldn’t be happier!

A resident of Western New York, she moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to be with the love of her life. They now have 3 children and keep busy cooking, watching their children’s sporting events, and of course reading!

Where to find her:

Website: www.madelynhill.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelyn.hill.94
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMaddyHill
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68
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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!


sisterhood of the

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.

reticule

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.

back to the future

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.

ret5

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,

lovingladylazuli_byshehannemoore-133x2001

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….

ET Loving Lady Lazuli Banner copy1

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! 😀