Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Cover Reveal: The Devil's Wingman by J.M. Davis


Blurb: After the death of her father and her own serious issues, Kara Maven decides to move back to her hometown to complete her senior year at Belman University. She settles into life on campus when her world is shaken by a handsome bad boy with a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Dominic Benenati is a half-demon Damamah, or whisperer, whose role on earth is to ensure Hell’s population thrives by pushing humans to act upon their sinful thoughts.

To complicate matters, enter Cayden Adams who is an angel determined to save Kara from Dominic’s influence. But does Kara really want to be saved?

About the Author: I work full-time as a zoo curator, so when I'm not running a zoo, I'm trying to tame the one I live in! I have two kids, and a husband who sometimes acts their age. I can usually be found jamming to Elvis Presley tunes, or diligently chipping away at my never-ending 'to be read' pile. I tend to gravitate toward anything paranormal. I love creatures who fly and characters who sprout fur or fangs. Sprinkle some romance and magic into the mix, and I'm a happy girl!

Author Links:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJ.M.Davis
https://twitter.com/AuthorJMDavis

Monday, March 30, 2015

New Release: Mara's Passion by Kelly Abell


At eighteen, Mara O’Banyon drove to New York, determined to become a chef. As the luck of the Irish would have it, she was discovered by world-renown Executive Chef and restaurant mogul, Jacques Bernaut. Under his tutelage, she soars to stardom in his restaurants, even surpassing the skill of her mentor/lover. But when her father dies, she returns home to attend his funeral and remembers what it was like to have family. On visiting the family pub, Shenanigans, ideas of how to create a fabulous menu swirl in her mind…if only she can get past the sexy but stubborn Jake O’Leary, the current cook/bartender. The man is trouble with a broad-shouldered, handsome-faced, hot capital T.

Jake has worked at Shenanigans since he was released from the county jail. A self-trained chef, he’s built the bar's menu into what it is today. The last thing he needs is some New York-trained chef to boss him around in his own kitchen—no matter how gorgeous she might be. However, it isn't his kitchen. It's hers. When attraction flares the first day they cross knives in the kitchen, he falls for her—hard. He just needs to make her see he’s better than her fancy French boyfriend in New York. Easy right?

When Mara returns to New York to settle her affairs, she finds Jacques isn't so willing to say good-bye. To her shock and dismay, he holds her hostage with not only his iron-clad contracts but with threats to her family as well. Mara wants to break free, but at what cost? When Jake learns of her desperate situation, he’ll do anything to save her. But will his interference lead to dangers neither of them could have foreseen?

In Mara's Passion, a Kindle new release in the Saving Shenanigans series, you witness the wits and determination of the third O’Banyon sister, Mara, as she tries to free herself from the demons of her past and tries to build a future including love and trust. Mara is one of three inspiring women in this series as she gains confidence and personal growth toward reconciling what it means to be loved. Mixing a secret past, the mob, and an insane chef is a recipe for mayhem.
Kelly Abell brings you romance new releases 2015 that will change the way you think of southern romance novels. Moving characters and a sprinkle of romantic thriller suspense make this trilogy romance series a keeper. Don't forget to check out Mabe's Burden, Book One, and Meg's Secret, Book Two, of the Saving Shenanigans Love and Loyalty Romance Novel series.

Chapter One Excerpt
Mara leaned against the bar to slip off her Jimmy Choos. Her sister Meg’s wedding had gone off without a hitch, with the couple departing for a quick honeymoon in Orlando. She was proud of herself. She along with her other sister, Mabe, had pulled together a wedding in three weeks in between Meg’s chemo treatments. The timing couldn’t have been better.

Tears sprang to her eyes when she remembered the undying love on both Meg and Rod’s faces as they’d pledged their lives to each other. Mara, not one to dwell on the negative, still accepted the fact Meg was fighting ovarian cancer. She still had a long way to go to recovery, but at least she had someone she’d adored all her life to support and love her through it.

Sipping her glass of champagne, she sat on a bar stool. The rest of the wedding guests had made their way to Shenanigans, her family’s pub, to have themselves a true céle, a rip roaring Irish celebration, with family and friends. Some reminisced about Shane, Mara’s father, telling stories past and present, others drank. Singing always accompanied a good céle. Shenanigans was not in short supply of good singers either. Several men stood together, their beer mugs in hand, regaling the crowd with a loud Irish drinking song. It warmed Mara’s heart to see the joy filling the bar, which was still under construction from the explosion earlier in the year. One which almost cost her youngest sister, Mabe, her life. What a year it had been. In a few weeks, they’d celebrate Christmas followed by the dawning of a new year.

Mara took another sip of her drink, reflecting on the last six months. What a whirlwind. She along with her sisters had lost their father; Mabe had fought the mob to win back the family pub—which had nearly been lost to their father’s gambling debt—Meg was successfully fighting, her battle with cancer, and they’d be planning another wedding in the coming year for Mabe. She huffed out a breath. Wow, who’d have thought one family could survive so much? But we’re O’Banyons. That’s what we do. We stick.

The oldest friend of her father, Gavin McCain, approached. His white hair, normally meticulous, was mussed, his cheeks pink from dancing. His blue eyes sparkling with mirth, he plopped on the stool next to her. “Ah, Mara, me darlin’.” His words came out a bit slurred, each syllable carrying a puff of alcohol. “It’s a fine thing you and Mabe did for your sister. A fine thing, indeed. I’ve never seen our Meg looking so happy.”

Mara smiled at the older man. He’d been a part of their family ever since she could remember. Through all the rough times of her own father’s drinking and after their mother’s death, Gavin had been a rock they could rely on. She reached for his hand, pulled it to her chest, squeezed. “She did look happy, didn’t she? Even if things go wrong for her, at least she and Emma aren’t alone.”

Gavin hugged her tight. “She was never truly alone. She had you, your sister. Didn’t she? But I know what you mean. There’s nothing like having a special someone to share it all with.” In all these years, he’d never lost the Irish lilt in his voice. Mara loved hearing it.

“It went well, didn’t it? The wedding, I mean?”

“Aye, it did that. I was so happy to have gotten home in time. What an honor it was to walk Meg and her angel of a daughter down the aisle. Shane missed out, I’ll tell ya.”

Mara made a rude noise. “He’d have been too drunk to do it if he’d been here.”

“Now, don’t speak ill of the dead, my darlin’. I know he wasn’t the finest father on the earth, but he loved you girls.”

“You’d have never guessed it by me. I knew in my heart of hearts he never thought I was his. He said so enough times.”

Gavin caught her gaze, held it. His eyes were the nicest shade of blue, but they held pain. “It was the drink that made him say it, Mara. He knew what was his. It broke his heart when you ran off to New York.”

“Ha.” Mara laughed. “He must have gotten over it pretty quick because he never came to look for me.”

“Ah, but there’s where you’re wrong. He had me hire an investigator to look for you.”
Mara’s jaw dropped. “You never told me.” 
“You never asked.”
 Buy Link: Amazon

Friday, March 27, 2015

New Release: The Hot Shoppe 2 by Letty James

The Hot Shoppe 2 -- where romance is always brewing....

Two hot reads under one cover...

Delicious:
When British hotel magnate, Colin Huntington, dares American event manager, Dori Darling, to touch him anywhere with only the tip of her finger, one small touch could lead to breaking all the rules, both business and personal. With Dori’s career at stake, can she afford to indulge in something so Delicious?

Desirable:
At the Johnny Dorado concert, LeeAnn Mukulski realizes she can get more than just another autograph from the sexy singer. After all, ten glorious, fantasy-filled years should amount to something. At least that Desirable one kiss. When Johnny hijacks her car after his concert, she quickly discovers there’s a real man behind the star façade--a man willing to follow his dreams, while challenging her to reach for her own.

Excerpts
Delicious
Trouble, with a capital T, stared at her. His mouth curved into a slight smile, his lips fuller than in the pictures, colder than she ever imagined. The famous British chill seemed to have seeped into the room from a continent away. He could wound her with that mouth.
He thrust out his hand and she stepped forward to shake it. He didn’t let go, but held it firmly as his hooded eyes assessed her. Had he found pictures of her and spent his lunch hours studying every angle of her face, imagining them dancing cheek-to-cheek, or standing side-by-side on the deck of his sailboat, salty sea spray mingling with kisses? She highly doubted it. He didn’t broker in fairy tales like she did.
She felt the heat of her blush stain her cheeks, but she kept her eyes on his. Surely, his eyes were icy blue, but no—they were the deep rusty brown of the British tea she most favored. Only slightly taller than her in her four inch heels, he radiated a much larger presence in his wool, navy pin-striped suit and crisp white shirt. How well they would fit together.
Stop it. Don’t think about it.
 His eyes widened. One eyebrow curled up a notch as he caught her perusal. “Will I do?”
 “You’re ... perfect.”
Oh. My. God. She did not just say that.

Desirable
On the last verse, LeeAnn and Johnny sang together, their mouths an inch apart at the mic, their voices seamlessly harmonizing as they pledged to travel the road together. Her heart pumped pure joy as the crowd went wild. Rosie, Molly, and Claire hooted and hollered over LeeAnn’s performance. She did a little curtsey for the crowd and Johnny, turning to wave thank you to the band.
Take that, Mr. Dorado.
"What’s your name?” Johnny leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear, raising goose bumps all down her arms.
“LeeAnn.” No way would she tell him her last name. He’d probably make fun of her.
"Let’s give it up for LeeAnn, everybody.”

The crowd clapped again.Someone in the back shouted, “Kiss her."
Johnny’s shocking green eyes met hers. She offered him her cheek. Instead, he grabbed her around the waist, dipped her over his knee and planted one right on the kisser. A quick kiss that lingered, searing her brain. Their eyes locked and the world spun. She grabbed his shoulders, dizzy from either the sudden movement or his kiss, she couldn’t tell.  
 Buy Links Amazon

Author Links Facebook  Website

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Interview with Darlene Fredette, Author of Twist of Faith



What made you decide to be an author?
So many stories swimming in my head demanding I write them. I also like to write about love and happy-ever-afters.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?
I like the freedom of a schedule. Some days that means I get a lot of writing done and other days I don’t get one word. What I like least are the days I don’t get any writing done.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing?
My life experiences haven’t been novel worthy, other than marrying my hero and having a beautiful baby girl. However, my high school English teacher told me I had a flair for writing. I should have listened to her way back then.
Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with?
All my stories are mapped in my head from start to finish. Getting them into print is the hard part. So much information - so little time.

You’ve written 4 novels and are working on a 5th novel. What’s your favorite time management tip?
Write when you can. Failing a deadline is too depressing, so I don’t set them.
Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer?
I make notes of the outline and characters. Then fill in the details as I write the story.
If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be?
Don’t let pressure sit on your shoulders. Do life’s-daily tasks first. You’re then free to write, and the words will flow much easier.
Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote?
I don’t listen to music while writing as I find it too distracting. I end up singing more than writing, lol. However, music does find a place in many of my stories. In this particular book, my heroine likes to listen to Michael Bublé when she goes on her morning run.
Tell me more about Twist of Faith.


     Katrina has one goal—follow through on her late-grandmother’s last request, to oversee the renovation of Katrina’s childhood home. The handsome contractor is distracting, but she refuses to be swayed by his deep brown eyes and broad shoulders. A summer romance is not part of the plan. When the truth is discovered about her family’s past, Katrina fears her own future is in jeopardy. She doesn’t have faith, but the twists that lie ahead may just change her mind.
     Nick refuses to accept help from anyone, until Katrina gives him an ultimatum—one he can’t refuse. Her renovation project will save his business, but puts his heart on the line. Can he convince Katrina to stay or will a promise to her late-grandmother pull her away? With a little twist of Faith, the odds may be in his favor.

How about an excerpt from Twist of Faith?

    The man shifted his weight.
    Suddenly, the air cooled around her. For the first time since she spied him in her home, Katrina stared face-to-face at her intruder. Past the pain, she saw a strong jaw line and a chin framed by the shadow of a goatee, or as they say in Paris, a French beard. A perfect set of lips held a thin moustache and his brown layered hair fell just above his chin. Dark brown eyes kept her gaze captivated. Johnny Depp has broken into my house.
    His face didn’t belong to someone who made a living from breaking-and-entering. This face belonged to a refined and hard-working man. She could tell there was more to the story behind those eyes, but the instant she stared at his lips, her thoughts turned to mush.
    He stumbled to stand, leaning on the wall for support. Johnny Depp kicked the wood, sending it rolling to the other side of the room.
    Katrina, now believing he meant no harm, accepted the hand he offered to help her from the floor. She ignored the tingling sensation running up her arm, knowing the fuss couldn’t be from the strong hand holding hers.
    He inhaled a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but shook his head instead. Frowning, he pointed a finger toward the card on the floor and limped to the exit, slamming the door behind him.
    She bent to pick up the card, which read, Donaldson and Porter, Architecture and Contracting, Nick Porter. Her shoulders dropped. “Damn!”
    Katrina now had less than twenty-four hours to master the art of groveling.
Where can readers find more about your stories, books and you on the Internet?

Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press: 

Amazon:


Darlene Fredette, thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.
Sharon, it was so much fun! Thank you for letting me share a little about me and my new book, Twist of Faith.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Interview with Loni Lynne, Author of Immortal Angel



Today, I'm delighted to have my friend and fellow author, Loni Lynne as a guest. She's been writing quite a while. Let's see how she started and what she's up to now.


What made you decide to be an author?
I had an angst riddled pre-teen life. At times I felt there was nothing to do. My English teacher at the time thought my writing had a lot of potential and suggested writing. I wrote mostly stories about the shows/movies I saw at the time. I put Han Solo and Princess Leia together with kids before George Lucas, I think. Yep, didn’t know it at the time but I wrote Fan Fic.

 What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least?
The best thing is writing the story—letting my characters come to life. The worst, struggling with time management and domestic issues while creating my fictional world.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing?
Oh, you mean the eclectic life I’ve led? J  I traveled all over the country growing up. My step-father was an oil field engineer so we moved every 18 months or so. Wherever the Oil Boom hit, that’s where we were. I learned so much about the places we lived. We enjoyed going to the local museums and points of interest, the culture of the various people in different parts of the country…and then my brief stint in the United States Navy right after high school…let me tell you what an adventure that was! Lots of ideas, adventures and ‘what if’s’ to share.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with?
It pretty much happens with all of them. But the one that really ‘spoke’ to me was, Wanted: One Ghost. The characters, especially my hero, James seemed to be my Muse and hero. It was as if he led me to tell his story.

You’ve written 5 novels and are working on a 6th novel. What’s your favorite time management tip?

Well technically, I’ve written four and a novella and working on the next novella in The Guardians of Dacia series. I’m struggling with my time management, I’m always looking for answers. Writing, marketing, publishing—doing it all for the most part now that I am self-publishing is not easy. I try to set a daily schedule but life gets in the way (or the Internet). One of the best things I’ve done recently is hire my youngest, adult daughter to become my domestic engineer while she’s finishing up college here locally. She’s a godsend during deadlines. Also, a good friend of mine has taken over my social media promotion tasks while he is recovering from foot surgery. When you have support like that, it helps a great deal.

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer?
I’m definitely “organic”. I’ve learned to ‘take notes’ about my characters and break down each scene into a separate document. Kind of like my own version of Scrivner but easier for me to digest. I let my characters tell the story in bits and pieces and then add them to the full manuscript, too. Breaking it down is like doing a Math problem (which I hated growing up). I learned to break down the issue to see each part fold out on its own.

If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be?
Don’t give up. Don’t write for profit…write for love, life and the pursuit of happiness.

Did music help you find your muse with this book? If yes, which song did you find yourself going back to over and over again as you wrote?
I don’t listen to anything while I write. I’m one of those people who have to have quiet, at least until I get into the zone. A good song will only make me want to get up and dance or sing along…distracting. But not to say a song didn’t inspire me with another book…that’s much later. ;)


Tell me more about Immortal Angel.


Tina Johnston is left heartbroken after the man she loves, Mike Linder turns her away. She’s too young and naïve to be able to understand the immortal, Vietnam warrior who suffers from the nightmare of his past. So she decides to work for the Delvante Clan and train to be an assistant to the immortal Dacians. What she doesn’t know is that her first assignment is about to take her into a world of danger and action, in which the very people she’s learning to protect are out to hunt her down and make her one of their own.

Vietnam was forty years ago and yet Mike Linder can’t forget the horrors of the past. His struggle with PTSD has no place for the lovely, Tina Johnston. As much as he wants her out of his life, he can’t bear to be without her. What they shared the past few months is beyond anything he deserves. But when he finds she’s gone to work for his boss, Rick Delvante and is sent to infiltrate a group of rogue vampires in Germany, he is beside himself. The only thing he can do is face his worst fear and go into battle once more to bring her home safely.
But what he finds is not the woman he left behind. Is he too late to save his Immortal Angel?

How about an excerpt from Immortal Angel?

Tina Johnston raced to the porch, keeping the treasured gift bag covered by the umbrella to protect it against the pouring rain. April showers were more like downpours. Lately, her mood matched the weather. She hoped this gift would start the sun shining again.
She pressed the doorbell and its peal echoed within the ranch-style home. The darkened woods at night surrounded her with its loneliness and mystery but it was part of its charm. She missed the solitude and being with Mike Linder out here in the middle of nowhere. In a few short months, they’d made so many happy memories. A lifetime of happiness…until…
The security camera above the door swiveled with a slight electronic buzz. He was home! She waved holding up the plain brown paper bag tied with blue and gold ribbon she’d curled and decorated herself.
Impatiently, she waited. It would take him a while to trek up to the “house” part of his domain. The log cabin rancher, a façade for his actual cavernous abode secluded beneath the building, protected who and what he was. Protective glass and rock walls sheltered him from the harmful rays of sunlight and mortals who might destroy him because of his lifestyle.
Moments went by. She rang the doorbell again. The camera didn’t move this time. Her heart slumped. Was he avoiding her? She’d tried to call, text, email but to no avail. Mike had blocked her from his phone. This birthday gift was a last ditch effort to try and get back into his life. He’d been unreasonable. He didn’t think she could handle their relationship.
Not wanting to give up on their future she thought about ringing the doorbell again when the heavy wooden door opened to reveal a disheveled, shirtless Mike Linder. His sexy shadow of scruff and mussed, short blond hair were forever etched in her heart. Tina loved seeing him after they’d…
 “What’s up?” he asked gruffly.
Her heart bottomed out at the thought. His faded, unbuttoned jeans teased a narrow strip of hair that lead to—
“I…I thought…I mean I wanted to stop by and say happy birthday. I brought you a gift.”
“That’s thoughtful of you, Tina. Thank you.”
“It’s just a little something. I didn’t know what to get you. I hope you like it though.” She handed it to him with trembling fingers.
An awkward moment of silence stretched endlessly as Mike raked his fingers through his hair. “I’d invite you inside but…I…um have company.”
She grimaced. He’d already replaced her with someone else. Fighting off the lump in her throat that threatened to break through on a sob, she smiled and nodded as if his statement hadn’t cleaved her heart in two.
Unable to bear the heartache of knowing he’d taken pleasure in another woman’s body she turned away, nearly running to her car. Away from the pain. She knew what she had to do now.


 Where can readers find more about your stories, books and you on the Internet?

Website Links:



Buy Links:



 
Loni, thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.