Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Romance Writer Weekly Blog Chat for October 28th



Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well, you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all…… About our writing of course! Every Tuesday we’ll all answer the same questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site, we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride. Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

Hello and Happy Halloween! If you've hopped over from the fabulous Ronnie Allen  http://ronnieallennovel.com/gemini/blog-1  then welcome, and thanks for stopping by.

Today we are all sharing a spooky story that is either true, or one we made up. I'll let you be the judge as to which category my story falls into. Be warned, and here we go.

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I had been given a Ouija board for Christmas when I was twelve years old. As all 'tweens', my friends and I spent a lot of time asking the Ouija board all important yes or no life questions so important to twelve year old girls. Some of our favorite questions were to ask the Ouija board for the names of our next boyfriend, or more importantly, the names of who we were going to marry. Fun stuff, but hardly scary, right?

Well, one afternoon, two of my girlfriends and I were asking serious questions of the Ouija board. One thing led to another and we started to feel a little creepy about the answers the Ouija board was providing to us.

I decided to ask a very important question. The three of us put our fingers on the three legged planchette and when we were ready, I asked in a serious tone, "Who runs this board?"

The planchette started to move after a moment and it slid across the board, resting on five letters in the following order.

D - E - V - I - L

We freaked out and screamed! My friends almost ran from the room. I picked up the board and the planchette, stuffed it back into the box and threw the whole damn thing into the furthest recesses of my closet. I never touched the Ouija board again - it terrified me. I was even too scared to take it out of the closet to put into the trash, and I think my mother got rid of it during one of her cleaning frenzies.

I was reminded of this entire incident when I saw the preview for the upcoming movie, titled "Ouija". No way am I going to see that movie. It gives me the creeps telling you this story, let alone seeing an entire movie that has a similar theme.

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So, what do you think? True or false? I'll let you be the judge.

Now that you've heard my spooky little tale, why don't you take a moment and jump over to the amazing Dani Jace at her blogsite  http://www.danijace.com

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you next time!

Warmly,
Mikki Cober

Friday, October 17, 2014

"Unexpected Eden" - Coming Soon from Rhenna Morgan




 Unexpected Eden

The Eden Series # 1
By: Rhenna Morgan
Releasing December 29th, 2014
Lyrical Press

 
 
Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill’s about to learn they’re wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance.

Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn’t want to resist. The question is, is she Myren, or human - which makes her forbidden fruit?
When Eryx’s nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea “home” would mean the one-and-only land of creation…or that she’d trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race.


Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23269158-unexpected-eden

 
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Eden-Rhenna-Morgan-ebook/dp/B00NY9OCBM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1412525955&sr=1-1





 
Author Bio

 Rhenna Morgan writes for the same reason she reads—to escape reality.
 
Yes, her life rocks—two beautiful little girls, a great husband, a steady job, and the kind of friends that would take you out back if you hurt her. But, like most women, she’s got obligations stacked tight from dusk to dawn. So, when the world gets her down, she slips into something…less realistic.

Romance is a must. So is a steamy romp (or four). Nothing thrills her more than the fantasy of new, exciting worlds, strong, intuitive men, and the sigh of, “Oh if only that could happen to me.”
So, if you’re picking up one of her books, expect portals into alternate realms and men who’ll fight to keep the women they want. Romantic escape for the women who need it.

 
Author Links
Website:  http://rhennamorgan.com/
Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/RhennaMorgan
Twitter:  
https://twitter.com/rhennamorgan
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8596977.Rhenna_Morgan

Rafflecopter Giveaway ($20.00 Amazon Gift Card)
 
Link to Rafflecopter Page, http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NTIxYWM0YzhjYmFkNDc1MDkxYzA3ZDNmMjhhM2RjOjQ4NQ==/

 
Excerpt - Chapter 1
Slow breaths in, slow breaths out. All Lexi had to do was focus on the thump of Rihanna’s latest hit, keep the drinks flowing, and stick to her half of the bar. The mother lode of testosterone on Jerry’s side couldn’t sit there all night. Could he?

“Don’t suppose you’ve noticed, but there’s a scrumptious not-from-around-here type giving you the eyeball.” Mindy grinned and handed over the latest round of drink orders.
White t-shirt, killer muscles, and dark chocolate hair halfway down his back? Yeah, she’d noticed. Repeatedly. And every time she went for a visual refill, his silver gaze shocked nerve endings she’d long thought dead.
“Drop it, Mindy. Guys like that are an occupational hazard and you know it.”

“Honey, that man is way past hazard. More like Chernobyl.” She leaned into the trendy concrete countertop. The modern pendant lights spotlighted her platinum hair and ample cleavage. One thing about Mindy—she knew how to work her assets. “I’ll bet the fallout’s worth it.”
“It’s packed tonight. You gonna get those drinks out and stash a few tips, or waste ’em on eye candy?”

Mindy’s dreamy smile melted and she pulled the loaded cocktail tray close. “All work and no play, huh?” She shook her head and turned for the crowd. “Have fun with that.”
Well, hell. Another social interaction down the toilet. At twenty-five-years-old, you’d think she could handle a little female bonding in the form of man-ogling. Especially when four of those years had been spent tending bar. But damn it, some things weren’t meant for discussion. Her overactive man-jitters being one of them.

Crouching to snag a fresh bottle of vodka beneath the counter, she peeked behind her. Lips guaranteed to make a girl forget her name curled into a sly smile.Busted.She spun away too fast and scraped her forehead against the rough edge of the bar. “Son of a fucking, no good piece of shit.”
Head down, she counted to three and fought the need to check for witnesses, thankful the music was loud enough to cover her curse. The graceless gawker routine wasn’t normally her deal, but for the last thirty minutes she’d come up woefully short in the finesse department—and it was all the dark-haired man’s fault.
New bottle ready for action, she faced two middle-aged men dressed like frat boys and settled into her pour-and-bill groove. The routine was a comfort, a stabilizing rhythm to counterbalance the ever-present gaze heavy on her back.

“Hey, Lex.” Jerry smacked her shoulder and motioned behind him, never breaking stride as he headed for the register. “Tall, dark and handsome wants to see you.”
She wouldn’t look. Not again. The giggling trio of barely legal blondes fighting their way into ordering range wasn’t nearly as nice on the eyes, but at least they kept her anchored. “Since when did you take up matchmaking?”

“Since the guy offered me a Benjamin to make sure it was you who took care of him.”

What? She spun.

The stranger met her surprised stare head on, his smirk a potent mix of humble and confident. “Sold me down the river, did you?”

“Damn right.” Jerry winked, shoved a stack of wrinkled bills into the register, and swaggered toward the waiting blondes without so much as a wish for good luck.

Lexi huffed and took an order from the none-too-shabby twenty-something guy right in
front of her on principle. Mystery man could cool his jets for a minute or two. Besides, if his banter matched his looks, she’d need every second she could get to batten down the hatches.

She filled orders with slow deliberation and an extra bit of bravado, grabbing snippets of recon where she could.
A vicious looking man sat next to her dark-haired hunk. Lazy raven waves fell to a hard jawline, a tightly trimmed goatee making his harsh face a downright menace. Entirely the wrong selection for wingman material.

Out of customers and bar space, she faced both men and wiped down of the counter. “What can I get you?” The catchall phrase came out shakier than she wanted, and tried to cover it with an intensive, yet completely unnecessary study of the bottles stocked below the counter.
“You disliked my tactic.” God help her, the man had a voice to match his face. An easy glide that left a slow burn in its wake. Kind of like fifty-year-old Scotch. “I admit it’s not my style, but I was desperate.”

Not exactly the approach she’d expected from a hottie, but it did help ease her tension. “There’s not a thing desperate about you and we both know it.”
He answered with a megawatt smile that damn near knocked her off her feet. Utterly relaxed, he rested muscled forearms on the bar and raised an eyebrow. “Have dinner with me.”

She shouldn’t be able to hear him in such a crush, let alone register a physical impact, but damned if she wasn’t processing both loud and clear. “I don’t even know you.”
He offered his hand. Long, strong fingers stretched out, showing calluses along his palm. “Eryx Shantos.”

Wingman stared straight ahead, his aqua eyes cold enough to freeze a soul.
“Lexi Merrill.” As their palms met, a rush fired up her arm and down her spine, and she shook as though she’d cozied up to a blow dryer in a bathtub. She ripped her hand away and rubbed the tingling center up and down her jean-clad hip.

Eryx didn’t so much as blink, his sword-colored gaze glinting with dare and determination.
Maybe fatigue was taking a toll on her imagination. Or the flu. Or a desperate need to get laid. Gripping the bar for support, she took an order from a cute little brunette trying to avoid a middle-aged, bald guy’s come-on.

Except for a slow pull off his beer, Wingman stayed stock-still. His angry expression screamed, “Stay the fuck back.”
“Now you know me,” Eryx said. “Have dinner with me.”

“I have to work.”

“Then lunch.”

“I work then too.” A lame excuse, but true. Two jobs and part-time college didn’t leave a
lot of room for being social. Not that socializing ever managed to work in her favor.

“Breakfast, then.”

A half-hearted laugh slipped out before she could stop it. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”
“You have nooo idea.” Wingman tipped his longneck for another drink, fingers loose around the dark glass despite his tight voice.

Eryx shot him a nasty glare.
“Your friend doesn’t talk much.” Lexi grabbed a few empties and dunked them in a tub of soapy water.

“His name’s Ludan. And he may not be able to talk at all by the time the night’s over. Depends on if he manages to keep his tongue intact.”
“Yo! Need a few Bud Lights.” Two college-age men in need of a manners class shoved their way to Ludan’s free side.

Ludan straightened and pushed the men back a handful of steps with nothing more than a glare.
No way was she dealing with the fallout from a brawl, even if the young punks could use the lesson. “Stand down and kill the scary badass routine.”

Ludan faced her, his eyes a shade closer to white than blue. It took a tense breath or two, but the muscles beneath his black t-shirt relaxed and he smirked. He eased down on his barstool and snagged his beer. “Your woman’s got bite, Eryx.”
She snatched a pair of Buds from the cooler and popped the tops off. “I’m not his woman.”

“Not yet.” Eryx's calm retort landed between them—part taunt, part promise.
 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

"Damned Sinner - Coming Soon from Jami Denise



Damned Sinner by

Jami Denise (The Jayne Series), Book Three


Vince Donovan has lost a lot in his life. He has lived life under a code of greed, lies and crime - never allowing anyone to get too close. After losing the empire, he fought to build at the hands of a psychotic man in pursuit of revenge, Vince vows to rebuild what he once had. Along with his once protégé and now partner, Jayne King, he sets out to create an empire that is based on beautiful women, sex and sin.

Kelsey Franklin is young, beautiful, sexy and should be forbidden. Kelsey is also the one woman that Vince has vowed never to have and yet is the one woman he wants and needs.

When love happens in the unlikeliest of circumstances Vince must ask himself - Is love fit for the damned and the sinner?


RELEASE DATE:  November 24, 2014
 
The Jayne Series Reading Order

 
See Jayne Play (The Jayne Series, Book One)
 
Queen of Hearts (The Jayne Series, Book Two)
 
Damned Sinner (The Jayne Series, Book Three)
Releasing November 24, 2014
 
 
About the Author:
Jami Denise
 


Jami Denise is a romance writer from Southern California. While she waits for the next felon to come along and sweep her off her feet, she writes about swoony bad boys and sassy gals that make them squirm. She also loves cats, cars, cupcake flavored lip balm, and cherry limeade.
 
Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Romance Writer Weekly Blog Chat for October 14, 2014



Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well, you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all…… About our writing of course! Every Tuesday we’ll all answer the same questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site, we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride. Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

Welcome to my weekly blog. If you’ve just arrived from the wonderful author, LaNora Mangano http://jeanne1965.wix.com/finding-lanora#!blog/c112v  then thank you for jumping over here.

This week’s blog idea comes from the fabulous, Collette Cameron, whose latest book “Triumph and Treasure” was just released.


Today’s topic is Date Disasters. We’ve all had those, so let’s be honest with other. How does a date end up in disaster? How can we prevent these disasters? In my opinion, it’s when your dating partner has nothing on their mind but their own pleasure, their own interests, and you’re just along for the ride.

My example of a personal date disaster was one that I suffered through during my college years. I had met a Lieutenant in a branch of the armed service (not to be named), and he asked me to go clubbing in Georgetown. For those not familiar with Washington, D.C., Georgetown is a fantastic nightspot with great restaurants, bars and dance clubs within the border of our nation’s capital. Georgetown was awesome – a terrific place to have a wonderful time. Or so I thought.

My date was very cute, and he seemed like a regular nice guy. We had just met, so this was our first time out together. I was looking forward to this evening, and hoped that it might lead to many others. Unfortunately, I was to be sadly disappointed.  Remember when I said earlier about your date being more interested in their good time than yours…? Well, this was one of those instances.

He had selected a club that served drinks and had a dance floor. Unknown to me, he had focused on this particular venue because this was the night that they were going to play every song created by The Village People. Do you remember that group? Who can forget that famous tune, “YMCA” – great dance number and it’s a song that’s always played at weddings and parties. It’s fun to stick ones arms in the air and frame the various letters, right?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy dancing to The Village People as much as anyone else. But as soon as the DJ started to play their tunes, my date grabbed me by the hand, lead me out to the dance floor and proceeded to jump, twirl, swing his arms and “whoop whoop” along to every note. He wasn’t dancing with me – he was performing for the crowd and for himself.

Not only that, after six songs in succession, I was becoming tired and wanted to sit down. Can you believe that he wouldn’t let me sit and insisted I dance with him for quite a few more songs? The evening became a blur of sweaty, seventies disco music, and I can’t remember a thing after that point. At the tender age of twenty-one, I was too polite to ditch him on the dance floor.

I stayed. I danced. I sweated.

Let me just explain right now, that I was so exhausted on the hour-long ride back to my college, that I fell asleep in his car. I know it was rude. I felt badly and apologized, but he was still mad at me for doing so.

I’d like to say that we parted friends, or at least people who went out once but won’t ever do so again. 

As for a passionate kiss at the door to my dorm, no way. I almost ran inside. I never did hear from him again, which was a huge relief for me as I’m sure it was for him.

I labeled this evening under Worst Date Ever, and in the back of my mind, I think he did as well.

 
Ok, hope that you enjoyed my little story. Now it’s time to visit the wonderful Collette Cameron at http://blueroseromance.com.  I mentioned that she has a new release, right? I know. I’m shameless.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you next week.

Warmly,
Mikki

Monday, October 13, 2014

"Triumph and Treasure" - Latest Release by Collette Cameron







Triumph and Treasure

Book I in the Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series

 
 
 
A disillusioned Scottish gentlewoman.

Angelina Ellsworth once believed in love—before she discovered her husband of mere hours was a slave-trader and already married. To avoid the scandal and disgrace, she escapes to her aunt and uncle’s, the Duke and Duchess of Waterford. When Angelina learns she is with child, she vows she’ll never trust a man again.

 
A privileged English lord.

Flynn, Earl of Luxmoore, led an enchanted life until his father committed suicide after losing everything to Waterford in a wager. Stripped of all but his title, Flynn is thrust into the role of marquis as well as provider for his disabled sister and invalid mother. Unable to pay his father’s astronomical gambling loss, Flynn must choose between social or financial ruin.

 When the duke suggests he’ll forgive the debt if Flynn marries his niece, Flynn accepts the duke’s proposal. Reluctant to wed a stranger, but willing to do anything to protect her babe and escape the clutches of the madman who still pursues her, Angelina agrees to the union. Can Flynn and Angelina find happiness and love in a marriage neither wanted, or is the chasm between them insurmountable? 

 
 

Bio:

Award winning, Amazon best-selling author, Collette Cameron, has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. Author of the Castle Brides Series and Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series, Collette writes Regency and Scottish historicals and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and five mini dachshunds. Mother to three and a self-proclaimed Cadbury Chocolate chocoholic, Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, trivia, and all things shabby chic. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

  

Connect with Collette

 Website: http://collettecameron.com


Blue Rose Romance Blog: http://blueroseromance.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/collette_author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7047979.Collette_Cameron


You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+ too.

Just head to her website for the links.

 


     

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Romance Writer Weekly Blog Chat for October 7, 2014


Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well, you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all…… About our writing of course! Every Tuesday we’ll all answer the same questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site, we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride. Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

Is it Tuesday all ready? Wow, how time has flown since last week. I hope that you enjoyed your visit with A.S. Fenichel at her blog  http://asfenichel.net/blog  By the way, Andrea's new book "Ascension, The Demon Hunters" went on sale this week.

This weeks three questions, given to us by the amazing Beth Carter (who recently released "Thursdays at Coconuts"), are about the writing craft. So, here goes:


Question 1.  Which type of character do you prefer writing about: Sexy, romantic, sweet, quirky, mean, old, young, smart, silly or other?

While I like to put myself into the Heroine's position, especially when it's a romantic or spicy sex scene, I think it's more fun to write about the villain. It's fun to be bad on paper, and to be able to do really wicked things. My villain's also tend to be murderers, and it's interesting to get into the minds of my evil-doers on paper.

I enjoy writing through the villain's perspective, sharing their motivations, and what caused them to do whatever evil thing transpired. Please don't get me wrong. I don't write horrific crime scenes with blood and gore. My bad girls or guys, tend to be motivated by greed or revenge, and don't usually make too much of a mess.


Question 2.  Have you ever killed off (or gotten back at) an ex in your writing? On paper, of course.

No, I haven't done that. Yet.


Question 3.  What hobbies do you have that you incorporate in your writing?

This is an easy one. Golf. To be honest, I'm not very good at it, but I really enjoy it, so that makes it more fun. The last novel I wrote was called "Trying or Par", and my heroine was a golf pro. It was fun to write about a series of murders at a golf resort. I might use a golf theme in another novel in the future.

By the way, I actually made a par on this hole! It's what keeps me coming back. That one hole where everything worked - it's the best feeling.


Now that you're done visiting with me, please take time to visit with the wonderful Vicki Mixon at her website  http://vickimixon.com/ 

Hope to see you next time.

Warmly,

Mikki