Tag: romance

New! The Turkish Affair by J. Arlene Culiner

The Turkish Affair by Jill Culiner

The setting for The Turkish Affair is an archaeological site in central Turkey. My heroine, Anne, is a former American journalist who, after a scandalous affair with the wrong man, lost her job and her reputation. For the last ten years, she’s been in hiding, living in backwoods Turkey, working as a translator. She’s not interested in romance, an affair, or a partner: falling in love is just too painful. Besides, in any relationship, you have to reveal who you are — and that’s something she’ll never do.

My hero, Renaud Townsend is an archaeologist. He’s passionate about his work, about ancient history, about discovery, and about keeping his independence. The last thing he’s ever wanted is a permanent relationship. He knows that, after the first excitement and immediate desire, any love story becomes humdrum. Humdrum is what he’s determined to avoid.

But how do you fight an instant attraction? What happens when caring slips into the picture and trust becomes important? Throw in some artifact theft, a difficult climate, corrupt police, a murder, an empty beige plain surrounded by dark mountains, and the story begins.

The blurb:

Love and Danger at the ancient Hittite site of Karakuyu

Priceless artifacts are disappearing from the ancient Hittite site of Karakuyu in Turkey, and the site director has vanished. Called in to solve the mystery, archaeologist Renaud Townsend is hindered by both his inability to speak the language and the knowledge that the local police are corrupt. His attraction to translator Anne Pierson is immediate, although he is troubled by her refusal to talk about the past and her fear of public scandal. But when murder enters the picture, both Anne and Renaud realize that the risk of falling in love is not the only danger.

The Turkish Affair by Jill Culiner

Excerpt:

A delicious breeze tickled the air, and the little boat rocked gently. A fine line appeared between his brows, and his blue eyes were, once again, serious. “I need your help.”

She stared. “My help? With what? Translating?”

“No. With something else. I have to find out who is behind the thefts at Karakuyu.”

The feeling of dread returned, but she forced herself to sound casual. “How could I possibly help you with that?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed. “I suppose I just don’t want to feel that I’m alone in this.”

What could she say to that? Tell him she was the last person he should team up with? That long ago, she’d escaped arrest by the skin of her teeth? If she did so, this splendid moment would be over. The silver-foil glimmer of romance would be tarnished forever. He’d row back to shore, drive back to Gülkale, get rid of her as quickly as possible.

“Anne?” He reached out to caress her bare arm. “Come back from wherever you are.”

“You know nothing about me,” she said jaggedly.

“Nothing,” he agreed.

She swallowed. “I could be involved in the thefts for all you know. Why ask for my help? Why choose me?”

He smiled faintly. “A good question. I suppose, quite simply, I need—or want—to trust you.”

She felt utterly miserable. Why was life always like this? Wanting someone and not being able to have them? Wanting trust, but seeing it snatched away before it came close?

“Okay, then.” His voice was surprisingly tender. “If I promise not to probe into secrets, do I have the right to ask one question?”

She nodded with resignation.

“Can I trust you?”

The answer to that was simple enough. “Yes. Of course you can.”

His returning smile was radiant. “Good.”

She stared helplessly at the strong, angular features highlighted by the merciless sun. “That’s crazy. You’re willing to take my word for it? I could be lying.”

He leaned forward, cupped her chin in his hand, and met her gaze evenly. “No way. Not with a face as expressive as yours.”

Buy link: Amazon

The Turkish Affair by Jill Culiner

Let’s meet J. Arlene Culiner:

NA: How did you come up with the idea for The Turkish Affair?
JAC: Many events in this book are true. Like my heroine, I worked as a translator and guide in backwoods Turkey. The story of the police demanding that archaeologists verify whether smuggled coins are fakes, is absolutely true: I accompanied the three archaeologists. Leyla, the very brave and rebellious young woman who rescues Anne from a dangerous situation on a back road, really does exist. She rescued me. And one day, while passing through an archaeological site in Turkey, I briefly caught sight of a lean and elegant man. As he headed toward a jumble of smashed pillars, the bright sun caught the golden blaze of his hair. He was the inspiration for Renaud Townsend, the hero of The Turkish Affair.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
JAC: Of course I want my readers to enjoy the lovely, sometimes difficult, romance between Anne and Renaud, but I’m also taking them on an exotic journey to a little known part of the world — to backwoods Turkey — where, on an archaeological site, they’ll experience the thrill of discovery as well as danger. In other words, I’m offering armchair travel with no airport hassle, no check-in lines, no bumpy plane ride. Only the pleasure of a good tale, and the chance to solve a mystery along with my hero and heroine.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
JAC: I am a contemporary artist doing social-critical work, and a photographer (you can get an idea of what I do at: http://www.jill-culiner.com) I also, occasionally, get acting work. However, I have always written. I once wrote and broadcast stories on Radio France, and I have piles of unpublished (and pretty awful) manuscripts that I wrote over the years.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
JAC: Who knows? I suppose they are somewhat admiring, but only one friend actually reads my books because she’s English. All my other friends are French and can’t read what I write. Bernard, my partner, knows no English.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
JAC: I don’t know. I never write outlines, and I think about each paragraph in a first draft for quite a while before actually writing it down. That’s a slow way to work, I know, but building up an atmosphere, and writing beautiful sentences is important to me.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
JAC: Winning the Tannenbaum Prize for Canadian Jewish History for my non-fiction work, Finding Home, and being short-listed for the 2005 ForeWord Magazine prize.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
JAC: I’m an amateur musician, and like many impassioned amateurs, I belong to two orchestras, two wind bands, and a chamber music group. I play the oboe, flute, piccolo, tuba, and all the instruments in the baroque oboe family.

NA: A pet peeve
JAC: Noise. People talking on their telephones in restaurants, on buses and trains.

NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
JAC: I didn’t choose it. I wear all my sweetie’s castoffs. He hates frayed collars and cuffs. I love the baggy old things.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
JAC: No alarm, but I try to force myself to get out of bed at around six and write for two hours.

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?
JAC: All housework. We both avoid it like the plague, and the dust bunnies are quite vicious in our house.

NA: What are you working on now?
JAC: I’m working on a series of novellas that start in 1889 and go up to today. They all take place in a town in the Nevada desert, Blake’s Folly, which is the setting for two of my contemporary romances, All About Charming Alice, and, Desert Rose. But I’ll tell you about those another time…

NA: What is any question we didn’t ask that you would like to answer?
JAC: Good heavens, I can’t even think of one. But just in case anyone wants to know, I have four animals adopted from the local pound: two happy indoor cats (my garden is a bird, reptile, and butterfly refuge, so they aren’t allowed out) and two big silly dogs.

Author Bio:

Jill CulinerWriter, photographer, social critical artist, musician, and occasional actress, J. Arlene Culiner, was born in New York and raised in Toronto. She has crossed much of Europe on foot, has lived in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave-dwelling, on a Dutch canal, and in a haunted house on the English moors. She now resides in a 400-year-old former inn in a French village of no interest and, much to local dismay, protects all creatures, especially spiders and snakes. She particularly enjoys incorporating into short stories, mysteries, narrative non-fiction, and romances, her experiences in out-of-the-way communities, and her conversations with strange characters.

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New Release! The Cat’s Out of the Bag: Cynthia Terelst

The Cat's Out of the Bag by Cynthia Tereist

One van. Two hearts. Thousands of kilometres.

Jesse’s a self-made billionaire who yearns to get away from his empty life and the money-hungry parasites who inhabit it. The plan? Go to Australia, tell no one about his money and find himself. Instead of finding just himself, he finds Evie, who is everything anyone should aspire to be. Now, what he aspires to be, is hers. But to be hers, he needs to tell her everything.

Evie has left her past behind. She has rebuilt herself, and her life, into one of happiness. After she meets Jesse, while volunteering at a cat shelter, memories of her past filter back in. She is stronger now and wants to trust him. But after all she has been through, is trust even possible?

The quest to find a cat a forever home leads them to travel across the country together. Can the close quarters drive them to open up to each other? Or will it drive them apart?

Excerpt:

Jesse
I woke up with Evie still wrapped in my arms. Her smell, her touch, the sound of her soft breathing, the peacefulness on her face. It invaded my senses.

I’d never felt so in touch with someone in my whole life. Every day we opened ourselves up a little more, sharing another part of our souls. I couldn’t live my life without her now.

Evie stirred in my arms and settled again. I kissed the top of her head and tightened my arm around her. Opening her eyes, she looked up at me and smiled before closing her eyes again. Not wanting to disturb her peace, I relaxed into the pillows and closed my eyes.

Her hand found my face and trailed down my neck to my chest. She moved her body up so her lips could meet my jawline. Her breasts pushed up against my body. They were perfectly rounded. I wanted to caress them and feel their softness in my palm. I became hard. It took all my self-control to keep my hands still. Her lips found mine, and she kissed me tenderly. As her lips drew away from mine, I opened my eyes to see her smiling at me.

I wanted her. I should have dragged her lips back to mine. I should have held her close, taken charge, kissed her, loved her. Instead, I watched her as she moved away.

The Cat's Out of the Bag by Cynthia TereistBuy link: https://www.amazon.com/Cats-out-Bag-billionaire-international-ebook/dp/B07ZC2Y2PG

Let’s meet Cynthia:

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
CT: I saw that billionaire romances were very popular and decided to write one. But I didn’t want it to be like the others I read. It is not primarily about money; I added a couple of twists in there. I like to include social issues in my stories and this one touched on domestic violence.

I decided the characters would go on a road trip because road trips are fun and it also throws the characters in close proximity to each other which adds some conflict.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
CT: There wasn’t much research required as my daughter and I travelled around Australia for three years and visited many of the places in the book. For places I wasn’t familiar with I did some Googling, looked at photos and went from there.

I decided to write contemporary romance because I knew a lot of research would be required for a historical romance and I was worried about getting facts, mannerisms, speech, etc. wrong.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
CT: I think this statement from the book sums it up:
I know it’s hard to trust again when you’ve been hurt so badly. But you need to try. Otherwise, you will miss out on many of life’s joys.

NA: A fun fact about writing your book.
CT: I am a foster carer for a cat rescue, which helped me relate to the cats in care and their personalities.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
CT: I am a project officer by day and a writer by night. I much prefer to write. As a new writer I need to build up my back list and earn a sustainable income, before I can make writing my full-time job.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
CT: I have always loved writing. I wrote my first novel at the age of sixteen. I’d put writing aside for over 20 years. When a friend I work with told me she was working on a novel, it inspired me to start writing again. I found my manuscript and rewrote it. It is not a published work, yet.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
CT: I think they are proud and excited.

NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer
CT: I have been surprised with how helpful other authors are. They are always willing to share their experience and offer their advice. I find them inspiring.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
CT: I know where my books start, where they finish and some of what I want to happen in between. After that I just write. With my second novel I have tried using the index card method to plot, but found that I stray away from what I planned. I do refer back to the cards though when I get stuck.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
CT: I told my author friend in July that I would write and publish a book by the end of the year and that is exactly what I have done. I am proud of my effort.

NA: Do you have quirky writing habits?
CT: I write my first draft by hand. I feel that my ideas flow easier that way.

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
CT: My sex scenes were pretty terrible to start with. I think they have improved. One beta reader said my dialogue was like it was in a vacuum, I have worked hard to fix this. Sometimes I would tell and not show. I appreciated when my beta readers would point this out.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
CT: Relax and do nothing 😊

NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?
CT: Oh, that is a hard question. When I was younger, I loved The Outsiders. I recently read the Darkest Minds series, which I enjoyed. I can’t decide on a third.

NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
CT: I’m wearing a dress because it is comfortable.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
CT: No. Arggh. And then I hit snooze.

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?
CT: Cleaning. I actually pay someone to clean now.

NA: What are you working on now?
CT: My second novel, Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. It is a second chance romance.

NA: What is any question we didn’t ask that you would like to answer?
CT: I can’t think of any. Maybe my favourite food? I would say everything, which would then explain why I am wearing a dress, weight gain due to eating. Lol.

Cynthia:
Cynthia TereistCynthia Terelst is a project officer by day and a writer by night. She is a contemporary romance writer who likes to share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels that they should not be ignored.
She lives in Queensland, Australia, where the sun shines at least 283 days a year.

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Brenda Whiteside and The Power of Love and Murder

The Power of Love and Murder by Brenda Whiteside

Blurb:
This Christmas, Penny Spark’s desire to reconnect with family causes her to expose her true identity—a secret she’s hidden for thirteen years from the political powers who murdered her family.

Jake Winters is out of rehab and coming to grips with his demons. When he meets Penny, he believes this holiday season could be the start of life after rock star status…until her secrets blow up his world.

With a government agent turned hit man closing in on her, Penny and Jake race to expose the presidential contender behind the murders of her family. Even if they win the race with death, the murder that stands between them could end their hope for a new life.

Buy Links:

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-power-of-love-and-murder/id1175786605?mt=11
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Love-Murder-Book-ebook/dp/B01M3YVO4H/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-power-of-love-and-murder-brenda-whiteside/1125058047?ean=2940156875115
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-power-of-love-and-murder-1
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Brenda_Whiteside_The_Power_of_Love_and_Murder?id=__-yDQAAQBAJ
Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-power-of-love-and-murder
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Power-of-Love-and-Murder-eBook/763278682

Excerpt:

Jake nodded, but all he could concentrate on were Penny’s last words before the officer appeared. When they were alone again, he threw up his hands. “What do you mean, go back to Phoenix? Why the hell would I do that? My sister’s been murdered, and I want to find out why.”

She turned her back on him, went to the open door of the bathroom, and lifted her clothes from the hook. Beneath the thin, hospital gown her spine was straight, her movements tight, as if coiled and ready to spring.

“Penny, I know how much she meant to you.” How much she meant to both of them. He wanted to hold her, share their loss. “I’m not leaving you.”

Untying the gown, she let it drop around her feet, and sidestepped out of the heap. She pulled the dark gray sweater over her head then stepped into black velvet jeans. She wouldn’t make eye contact, wouldn’t speak as she sat on the green plastic chair.

This was killing him. He needed to hold her, help her with her pain—his pain. Haltingly, he made his way to her, touched her head, and waited while she zipped her boots. “Penny.” She resisted, but he tipped her chin, forcing her to look up. “Come on, baby. You don’t have to worry about me leaving you.”

“You will.”

“No—”

“When I tell you the truth, you will.”

Let’s meet Brenda!

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

BW: This is the fourth book in the series. One of my critique partners loved a minor character in book one who was nicknamed The Black Fairy because of her penchant for Goth dress and her small stature. She insisted she needed her own book. I liked the idea and The Power of Love and Murder was off and running.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?

BW: This research was fun. I knew nothing about the FBI, but I needed to. One of the villains is an FBI agent turned bad. I also needed to research downtown Phoenix, which I should know about having been born there and lived there for many years, but I didn’t. I also had to research mob murders and corporate structure. The story takes place during the Christmas holidays, which I love and required no research.

NA: A fun fact about writing your book.

BW: The hero spends a really awful night in a cheap hotel. This is based on fact. My brother had the experience. When he told us the story many years ago, I laughed so hard. I knew I would some day use that scene in a book.

NA: Do you have a day job?

BW: I am retired from the day job. What was your job before you started writing full time? For many years, I worked in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. I assisted Child Care Providers with nutrition and training.

NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer?

BW: It isn’t all about writing. So much of the time is spent on promoting my books and myself. If I don’t, then no one knows I exist. Ah, if we could just write and write and write!

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?

BW: I started as a pantser. But as my book plots became increasingly more complicated, I found it necessary to do quite a bit of planning ahead of writing. I don’t outline exactly. I might not know everything that is going to happen, but I have a good rough notes page and detailed character sketches.

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write?

BW: Action, dialogue, sex?

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

BW: I spend time with family. My mom is going to turn 89 in December. We live three hours apart so I make a point of spending three days every three weeks with her. I have one granddaughter who is six. FDW and I try to get her for a few days a couple of times a month. I also love to take long walks and go to the movies.

NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?

BW: The first several books in the Outlander series, Shogun, A Circle of Friends. By the way, this was a difficult question. Another day might find me answering differently.

NA: A pet peeve.

BW: People who don’t listen, like they ask me a question and interrupt me or gaze off into the distance as if I’m the most boring person in the world.

NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?

BW: I live in Arizona and by noon, I have to take off the sweatshirt and put on a sleeveless tee shirt. So, here I sit in shorts and a tee.

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?

BW: I don’t mind cleaning up and washing dishes after a meal, but for some reason I’m totally annoyed by putting dishes back in the cupboard.

NA: What are you working on now?

BW: I’m so excited about a series set in the fiction town of Joshua, Arizona. If you are familiar with Arizona, you’ll recognize the ghost town of Jerome. It is a tourist town, hanging on the side of a mountain where gold and copper were mined back in the day. The hippies moved in to the nearly dead town in the 60s and now it is a destination. My characters are quirky, the suspense is thrilling, and the setting inspires me.

I’m also starting the process to have The Power of Love and Murder made into an audiobook.

NA: Do you have free audio codes for your audiobooks?

BW: Yes! Comment here that you are interested or send me an email.

Say hello to Brenda!

Brenda WhitesideBrenda Whiteside is the author of suspenseful, action-adventure romance. Mostly. She signed her first book contract in 2009. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have decided they are gypsies at heart. After three years on a small farm in Paulden, Arizona, they retired to their RV in Tonto Basin to think about their next move. Three years later, they’re still there. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW is fishing, Brenda writes stories of discovery and love entangled with suspense.

Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com

Or on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2

She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendawhitesideauthor/

New! Rescue Road by Gayle M. Irwin

Rescue Road by Gayle Irwin

Rescue Road a clean, contemporary romance set in southwestern Montana, an area where I lived for more than 10 years.

Blurb:

Freelance writer Rhiann Kelly shelved romance for years. Her dream of starting an animal sanctuary takes deep roots after finding the perfect location in southwestern Montana and purchasing the property for back taxes.

Emergency medical technician Levi Butler knows his elderly friend George left the ranch to him in his will. Levi anxiously awaits the probate to be complete so he can plan his retirement and begin his dream of raising and selling horses.

When Rhiann and Levi find each other at the ranch simultaneously, sparks fly – and not the romantic kind. Yet their attraction for one another can’t be denied and deepens after Levi finds Rhiann injured in an accident. Meantime, land developer Dallas Patterson sets his sights on charming Rhiann to obtain the land.

Can Rhiann and Levi work together to detour Patterson and find a solution in which neither needs to give up their dream, or will the fence line of their hearts – and the property – separate them forever? Can their broken paths weave their hearts together as they travel the rescue road?

Buy links:
Amazon
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Print book coming very soon!

Let’s meet Gayle!

NA: Gayle, welcome! We’re so happy you are here with us. How did you come up with the idea for your book?
GMI: Five years ago I took a creative writing class at the community college in my town. Several women were writing romance novels, and I decided to pursue the endeavor. After many setbacks and changes, and a lot of encouragement from others in my writing groups, I picked it up again last November for NaNoWriMo and completed the draft. The idea comes from my desire to entertain but also inspire pet adoption and educate readers about pet rescue. I love the state of Montana and lived there for more than a decade; therefore, since I know the setting well, I created a fictional town but also used the names of real communities in order to bring familiarity about the state (i.e., Yellowstone National Park, the Madison River) and help readers fall in love with the setting as well as the story.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
GMI: Two things: Middle age people can fall in love even after they’ve experienced a significant romantic setback, and rescued dogs can also rescue humans.

NA: What’s a fun fact about writing your book.
GMI: I based one of the dog characters on a dog my husband and I adopted a few years ago. My Jeremiah, a Shih Tzu, is the motivation for “Jax” in the story. Jeremiah is a puppy mill survivor, whom I adopted from Hearts United for Animals in 2017; “Jax” is also a Shih Tzu and puppy mill survivor whom my heroine, Rhiann, helped rescue and who welcomes the other dogs she rescues.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
GMI: I began writing stories as a child, and in college I studied journalism and creative writing. I worked on the student newspaper and student annual magazine. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I began working for small-town newspapers in Montana, including as editor for the West Yellowstone News near America’s first national park. When I moved to Wyoming 20 years ago, I served as a reporter for another small-town newspaper and began freelancing for magazines. My short stories are featured in seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and I regularly write for WREN (Wyoming Rural Electric News) magazine. I’ve also had stories published in The Prairie Times, a monthly Colorado publication, and in Creation Illustrated, a nature magazine for children. I’ve authored dog books for children and devotional books for dog lovers, as I believe we can learn wonderful life and faith lessons from dogs.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
GMI: I’m an only child and the first person in my family to obtain a bachelor’s degree, and my parents were quite proud; they continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. In fact, my father steered me in the direction of my first job with a Montana newspaper as he was impressed with (what was then) a family start-up and the positive stories the couple sought to tell; I became their first full-time reporter. That was more than 30 years ago. My parents are still living and still cheering me on. My husband of more than 19 years was with me at my first Barnes and Noble book signing with my first children’s book in 2008, as was our dog, Sage, a blind springer spaniel who was the main character of that story (Sage’s Big Adventure: Living with Blindness). I have a wonderful support system in friends, work colleagues (I work part-time for a non-profit), and other writers. These people encourage me, critique my work, and help me persevere, and I’m grateful for each one of them … and also for the pets that inspire me to tell stories!

NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer.
GMI: How much excitement I feel doing the work! As a reporter, especially in the early days, sometimes the work was stressful due to so many stories and deadlines. However, I’ve matured over the years, and since I don’t have daily deadlines, I find composing stories, whether for a magazine, a Chicken Soup call-out, or for a book, delightful – and that time often passes quickly while I’m writing! The days I’m off work and devote a morning to writing, I blink my eyes and Noon has arrived. I wish time would slow down a bit!

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
GMI: I’m a pantser. I know the premise of the story, but I let the words flow and take whatever direction “the characters tell me to go.” I often know how I want the story to end, and I explore pathways to get there. I may cut scenes during the editing process, and I did so with Rescue Road. However, I save those deleted scenes because they could be re-worked and used in another book. For example, I plan a Book 2 (in the works) and Book 3 for this Pet Rescue Romance series, and I may be able to massage some of the deleted scenes from Book 1 and weave into either Book 2 or Book 3. Watching the story unfold as I type on the keyboard is a significant part of the fun of writing for me!

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
GMI: When parents, teachers, or children come up to me after a program or book purchase and say how much the story touched them (or a child they love). After taking my blind dog with me on a classroom visit many years ago, I received a note from the teacher who said she had a visually impaired student and he said to his aide afterward, “I didn’t know a dog could be like me. If Sage can be brave, I can be too.” One of the students told me in a note, “I think Sage needs to star in her own movie!” Writing about challenges in life and how dogs can teach us to have courage, to persevere, to forgive, to love, brings me great joy, and helping people understand the importance of rescue and adoption is part of my mission as a writer.

NA: Do you have quirky writing habits?
GMI: I don’t know if this is very “quirky,” but I drink coffee or tea and play instrumental music on Pandora while writing. And, of course, Jeremiah hangs out with me in my home office … as does one of my cats usually. It’s a peaceful setting.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
GMI: I enjoy traveling and taking nature photos. My goal is to visit all the western national parks before I can no longer travel. My husband and I own some mountain property and cabin, and we enjoy spending time there with our dogs. I also enjoy helping animal shelters and rescues. I’ve transported dogs into rescue and into the arms of new families for various regional organizations during the past 10 years, and I look forward to continuing that volunteer work.

NA: Name a pet peeve.
GMI: Tardiness. Likely comes from my time as a newspaper reporter/editor.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
GMI: How delighted I am to have my pets snuggling with me in bed.

NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
GMI: Betty White – her humor and love for animals totally touch my heart!

NA: What are you working on now?
GMI: Book 2 of my Pet Rescue Romance series and a devotion book about nature.

NA: Tell us about a passion you have.
GMI: My enjoyment of nature and animals stem from my childhood. I was raised in Iowa, and my parents taught me to appreciate and respect the outdoors, both the environment and the wildlife. I was raised with animals – dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, etc. – and my household chores included caring for the animals. I loved doing that! And, I continue that love of caring for animals and nature. I hope to instill the same appreciation and respect for creation to readers through my writing, whether it’s a children’s book, a devotional, a short story, or a novel.

Excerpt:
Rhiann stood on the porch of the mid-century ranch house. Cup of coffee in hand, she watched the blazing orange sunrise. Streamers of light cascaded on the mountains west of the property, casting a rosy glow on the rocks and patches of snow upon the higher elevation. October’s morning danced with the browning grasses of the nearby pastures as touches of frost shimmered upon tan sprigs surrounding the house. Overhead, a flock of Canada geese in traditional V formation honked as they winged their way south.
Rhiann observed them and whispered, “We have something in common. We’re starting over.”

****

As he drove closer to the ranch house, Levi noticed a small, red dual-cab pickup parked near the building. His eyes squinted. He remembered seeing a similar vehicle at the Twin Bridges Campground yesterday. He parked next to the truck.

“Who in the world could that be?” he murmured as he exited his pickup.
He looked at the license plate. He didn’t remember George knowing anyone from Washington state. He saw a heart-shaped sticker on the side. Levi scowled. He meandered to the driver’s side and saw the “Rescue Road” emblem.

“Can’t be,” he muttered.

He looked up when he heard the front door of the house slam. He stared.

“What are you doing here?” he and Rhiann asked simultaneously.

***

Rhiann couldn’t believe her eyes. Left hand on her hip and straw broom in her right, she glared at the man she had met yesterday.

“Well?” she questioned, looking Levi in the eye. “Answer my question. What are you doing on my ranch?”

“Your what? YOUR ranch? This is my land,” he snapped.

“Uh, unless your last name is Kelly or McCallister, I don’t think so.”

Levi stalked toward the front porch. Rhiann took a step back. She looked into his smoldering gray eyes as he said, “George Nelson left this place to me. Just who are you to come claim it as yours?”

Before she could respond, he rushed on, “Are you related to George? I didn’t think he had any kids or grandkids. Are you a niece or something?”

Rhiann shook her head. “I didn’t know Mr. Nelson. I’m the granddaughter of Mary Martha McAllister. She was born here, in that log cabin over there.”
She pointed to the two-room dwelling to her right.

“That’s my house,” Levi said.

She detected the curt tone, and she responded in kind.

“I don’t know why you keep saying you own this property. That cabin, this place, has been mine for nearly four months and was in my family for two generations. I’m just now getting here after settling the back taxes.”

Levi’s face blanched. “Back taxes? What are you talking about?”

At that moment, his cell phone rang. She watched him pull the device from a back pocket of his jeans. He turned away from her.

“Mr. Williamson. Yes, this is Levi Butler. You have news for me?” He paused in his conversation. “I see.”

Rhiann continued observing him. He gradually turned toward her. His eyes darkened, and his teeth clenched. Rhiann took a step back, holding the broom in both hands. I’ll swing this thing at his head if he takes one more step.

“Yes, yes, I’ve met her. In fact, I’m looking at her right now.”

His icy statement sent chills up Rhiann’s spine.

***

Levi gripped the cell phone tighter. His mind tried to process the words spoken by George’s attorney. A few moments later, he said, “I see. Not the news I expected to hear but thanks for letting me know.”

He clicked off and stared at Rhiann. He noticed she held the broom as if to fend off an attacker. He wanted to punch something but knew he couldn’t. He took a deep breath and clenched a fist. He exhaled a ragged breath. A moment of silence ticked by. Levi inhaled again, trying to steady himself. As he released the air and unclenched his fist, he spoke in a terse, but controlled tone.

“Someone who knows nothing about this place, it’s history, or the man who lived here … I guess it’s yours after all.”

Levi stalked to his pickup and jumped into the driver’s seat. He backed the Chevy toward the Y junction and stomped the accelerator. He heard a large spray of gravel as the truck tires dug in, and he drove from the house.

 

About Gayle:
Gayle M. IrwinGayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for both children and adults. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including courage, kindness, perseverance, friendship, appreciation of nature, and the importance of pet rescue and adoption. Her first novel, a clean, contemporary pet rescue romance titled Rescue Road, releases November 2019. A pet rescue and adoption advocate, she volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle resides in Wyoming with her husband and their adopted animals. Learn more about the author, her writing endeavors, and her pets, and receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwin.com.

Author Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Rescue Road by Gayle Irwin

Out Now—Stateless (Stateless Series, Book 1) by Meli Raine

#romanticsuspense #romance #suspense #newrelease

Stateless by Meli RaineRelease date: October 15, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book Blurb:

When you’re born without a trace, no one knows you’re a weapon.

I lie for her.
I hunt for her.
I kill for her.
And above all, I betray my mission for her.
She doesn’t know why. She doesn’t care why.
I do.
Treason comes in many forms.
Love is one of them.
Our training taught me to be a sociopath. A machine. A pawn. Nothing more than a tool for a larger goal, without attachments or feelings.
Our teachers forgot one important detail:
Pawns shouldn’t have hearts.
Yet we do.
It turns out our emotions are our greatest weapon.
And I know exactly where mine are aimed.

The Stateless Series also includes:
Traceless (releasing 11.19.19)
Fateless (release date TBA)

Stateless by Meli Raine

Links:

Amazon (everywhere): https://geni.us/statelessAMZ
Barnes&Noble: https://geni.us/statelessBN
Kobo: https://geni.us/statelessKobo
Apple Books: https://geni.us/statelessApple
Google Play: https://geni.us/statelessgoogle

Audiobook narrated by Joe Arden and Andi Arndt!
Audible (preorder now!): https://geni.us/statelessAudible
Amazon audio (preorder now!): https://geni.us/statelessAMZaud

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2mSDQ8B
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2ozxs6w

Website: http://bit.ly/2mSPzUE

Stateless by Meli Raine

Excerpt:

“Thank you,” I choke out.
“For what?” His eyes cut away. The air between us has changed. I can’t explain it. Suddenly, I’m uncomfortable.
And yet I just want to be with him.
“For killing for me.”
As the words come forth from my mouth, I cringe inside. I did not mean to say for me. “For me” implies that he killed the bunny out of some attachment to me.
We are not allowed to have emotions for one another. It puts us at risk.
“I did it for me,” he says, louder than he should need to.
“You did?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To challenge Romeo.”
“Why would you do that?” My voice goes up to a sharp squeak at the end, incredulous.
He laughs. “Because we are taught to destabilize power structures.” He looks around. “What do you think the compound is?”

Stateless by Meli Raine

Author Bio:

Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://meliraine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meliraine
Twitter: https://twitter.com/meliraineauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/meli-raine
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13536295.Meli_Raine
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/beV0gf

Reviews and Endorsements for Meli Raine Books:

“The first book in the False trilogy is a psychological thriller worthy of Hitchcock, keeping you guessing until the very end.” — Apple Books Editors

“…intrigue and dark humor on display in this thriller…”

While the immediate—and more compelling—tension in Raine’s (A Shameless Little Bet, 2018, etc.) heart-pumping series opener comes from Lily’s constant proximity to her would-be killer, the action takes place against a backdrop of secret government scandals. The “screwed-up D.C.-insider scandal,” as it is clumsily summarized early on, is pleasingly twisty…

Fortunately, Lily’s voice is captivating, wry, and tough enough to sell this thriller. The novel ends with a cliffhanger that startles, if only because readers will have become so attached to Lily. — Kirkus Reviews

“Fresh, riveting, and thrumming with emotion and romantic suspense, False Memory is absolutely unputdownable. You need this book!” – New York Times bestselling author Meghan March

“I accidentally lost a day to this trilogy! It is unputdownable. Apparently I’m on a dark-and-twisty binge, and this book is addictive.” – USA Today bestselling author Sarina Bowen (review for Harmless series)

Writer Marketing Services

Release blitz organized by Writer Marketing Services.

The Viscount’s Pet: Kryssie Fortune’s newest book!

The Viscount's Pet by Kryssie Fortune

Blurb:
When her brother tries to force her into a marriage with a detestable baron, Julianna Halstead flees the family estate she has helped manage since the death of her parents. But as she makes her escape late at night, Juliana’s carelessness nearly results in her being trampled by a galloping horse, and the steed’s handsome rider takes it upon himself to correct her right then and there.

Though having her bottom bared and soundly spanked on the side of the road leaves Juliana blushing crimson, the punishment arouses her intensely and her body’s helpless response cannot be hidden. To make matters worse, the gentleman over whose lap she was so firmly chastised turns out to be none other than Viscount Stonehurst, someone she has known since childhood.

When Stonehurst learns of Juliana’s predicament, he decides to make her his bride. She will be no ordinary wife, however. She will be something much more shameful. But even as she is leashed, collared, and put on display in a cage wearing only a tail, then brought out to be used in ways no proper lady should enjoy, will Juliana come to love her new life as the viscount’s pet?

Publisher’s Note: The Viscount’s Pet is a stand-alone novel which shares the Regency-era setting of Wickedly Used and His Innocent Bride. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

Buy links:
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Amazon AU

OR READ FOR FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Excerpt:

The horse and rider appeared from nowhere.

Julianna sidestepped and dropped her bag. Her ankle twisted beneath her, and she tumbled to the ground. When the horseman tugged hard at the reins, the coal-black stallion reared, its forelegs pawed the air. She screamed and closed her eyes. Curled into a ball, she waited for its ebony hooves to pulverize her.

The rider swore, the horse whickering as it planted its feet in the dirt by her face. Tiny dust clouds rose from the road. She coughed and crablike, she scuttled to the fallen oak at the edge of the copse. The bracken smelled earthy, and the thick foliage cushioned her bruised ribs.
Her heart beat overtime when the horseman dismounted and stalked toward her. Wearing a black greatcoat and muffler, he towered over her. Grabbing her wrist, he hauled her upright.

Even in the evening twilight, his hair shone the same blue-black as a raven’s wing. His features were familiar, but she had no idea why. One glance at his steeply angled eyebrows and she wondered if he was the devil come to claim her.

Her brother would have grabbed her shoulders and shaken her until her head ached. That or hurled vile insults at her. Instead, the dark horseman’s eyes twinkled with good humor. She couldn’t decide if they were midnight blue or ebony black. Their mysterious depths and sloping eyebrows gave him a demonic air.

His high cheekbones were so sharp Michelangelo could have chiseled them from marble. There was a cleft in his square chin that she wanted to stroke. His broad, kissable lips made her want to lick and taste, but they were set in a stern, disapproving frown. If he smiled, his dark charisma would mesmerize any nocturnal creatures. Bats, foxes, and badgers would flock to his side.

His utter masculinity sent shudders along her spine. Devilish and terrifying, he emanated menace and danger. She should be shaking in fear, but he sparked wicked longings in her soul.

Untouched and innocent, she hated how her nipples pearled and damp heat creamed between her legs. She needed his lips pressed against hers and his hands on her body. For a woman who’d sworn never to marry, that scared her more than his fury. If not for his tight grip on her shoulders, she’d have run off into the night.

Her pulse still raced, but she buried her fear beneath a haughty manner. “Unhand me, sir. I’m late as it is.”

Rather than let go of her arm, he tugged her closer. He smelled of citrus fruits and freshly gathered mint. When her gaze meshed with his, lightning bolts sizzled between them. Head bent, he moved toward her. She puckered her lips in anticipation.

Blinking, he straightened abruptly. “I could have killed you, you little fool.”

Disappointment crushed her soul. Her ribs ached from Kit’s assault and her ankle throbbed from her fall. Sniffing back tears, she thought of her mother’s pampered cat and tried to out-stare him. “My apologies, sir. I should have been paying attention, not daydreaming along in the twilight. Since neither of us is hurt, we can go on our own ways.”

“Not until you’ve learned your lesson,” he snapped.
Pulling free from his hold, she rubbed her wrist. Nervous, she retreated toward her portmanteau, ready to grab it and run. Shooting forward, he hoisted her over his shoulder. The undignified position made her ribs throb. His hand splayed over her rear end, caressing and stroking it as he pinned her in place.

Five steps and he’d carried her back to the tree trunk. Once settled on it, he thrust her over his knee. “Naughty little girls who risk their lives deserve a spanking. And I’m just the man to give it to you.”

Some interesting facts about Kryssie Fortune!

Social Media links:
Website http://kryssiefortune.wixsite.com/kryssie
Blog http://kryssiefortune.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter https://twitter.com/KryssieFortune
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KryssieFortune
Pinterest http://bit.ly/1OGFnjc
Goodreads http://bit.ly/2kxqabJ
Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/2hA0ZVO

Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Definitely energize. I get bad tempered if I don’t do something to inch my writing forward every day.

Ballpoint or fountain pen?
Ball point. I write in a notebook, type up, then read it through before moving on to the next chapter.

What time of the day is best for you as a writer?
Anywhere, anytime. If I have a free moment I put pen to paper. A lot of my early writing was done on the bus on the way and from work.

Who are three of your favorite authors?
Kresley Cole, Georgette Heyer, and currently J.S. Scott. The last one changes but I’ve loved the other two for years. ,

Which book – of all the books you’ve written – do you like the best?
Always the one I’m working on. I’m proud of Taken as Theirs because it was my first book to hit the top ten on it’s category. I love regency romance, and I love my latest very hot Regency romance. Georgette Heyer would be turning in her grave.

How do you research your locations?
Internet and visits. A lot of my books are set in Yorkshire, England. That’s my home county. For my Westhorpe Ridge series, I hounded friends in North Carolina to check details. For my current WIP I visited Lindisfarne in Northumberland to scout the island. (Any excuse for a weekend break with my husband.)

Madison Michael’s Bedeviled, FREE!


Bedeviled
The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 3
By Madison Michael

♥♥♥ ~ Free September 7th – September 10th Only ~ ♥♥♥
 

About Bedeviled:

If You Build Your Love on Lies, You Better Run Faster than the Truth

 Newly appointed Finance Director, Charlotte Roche escaped dangers lurking in Boston by moving to Chicago. A new name, a new beginning – all built on lies. Believing she is safe, Charlotte drops her guard and sets her sights on her ruggedly handsome and wildly sexy running partner, Alexander Gaines. Can she advance their relationship from the track to the bedroom and still maintain her charade? or will Alex’s probing questions pierce her carefully rehearsed story?

Alex, with unrevealed secrets of his own, struggles to hold the irresistible Charlotte at arm’s length. But when Charlotte sustains a suspicious injury, Alex seizes the opportunity to cuddle up to the sassy beauty. Does he dare risk his reputation, his fortune, his friends, and his heart by letting her get close?

How can they build a bond with deceit on both sides? With exposure imminent, their freshly forged relationship is in jeopardy and so are their lives. Can their love survive or are they bedeviled? 

 Join Alex and Charlotte, in this steamy romance, the third in the five-star rated Beguiling Bachelor series. The suspense builds as the characters you’ve met and loved in “Bedazzled” and “Beholden” help tackle the maze of half-truths and cover-ups threatening the lovers.

ASIN: B06WLQL2FT
Genre: Steamy Romantic Suspense

Amazon Buy Link: https://amzn.to/321d24H

Excerpt from Bedeviled:
Keeping his mind on the topic always took all of Alex’s effort anyway. When Charlotte sat hip-to-hip with him as she had today, he felt the heat of her skin, saw the long length of thigh exposed in front of him, heard her heavy post-run breathing until he was in sensory overload. She smelled so good, not stinky and sweaty like he must. She smelled classy and expensive with all those clean, floral scents. She smelled like a woman he could trust.
More like a woman I want to trust.
Thinking back, Alex recognized that she had been hiding something all along. When he wasn’t lost in a sensual fog, he was able to zero in on where the conversations lagged, when she got testy with his probing or tried to change the subject. It had something to do with her life in Boston before she moved to Chicago and it was something that had been going on for a while. She was practiced at her excuses by the time she used them on him. She was making too many trips back East for ‘Harvard stuff.’ She had met Regan Howe through this same ‘Harvard stuff’ yet Regan went back to her alma mater only once or twice a year, if that.
Oh yeah, Charlotte is definitely up to something and I intend to find out what. I have been patient long enough.
Sitting waiting now for Charlotte to arrive at Starbucks, Alex promised himself that he would get to the bottom of this or walk away.
Since she had declined his offer of a ride, Alex currently sat at a shady outside table enjoying the last of summer, waiting for her to walk over and speculating on her possible secrets. He was planning his subtle interrogation during the few minutes Charlotte would need to make her way across the park,
Stubborn. She should have just accepted the ride.
You driving over or walking?” she had asked him, once they caught their breath.
“I have the car if you want a ride?” When she hesitated, he tried tempting her. “I have the new car.”
Alex was the proud owner of a brand new Mercedes AMG. The sleek, luxury sports car suited him despite most people’s image of him as logical, conservative and staid. The need for speed was actually deep in his blood. “You will love it, tight on the curves, fast and quiet. She purrs,” he had bragged.
Charlotte hesitated on his last remark and Alex had been sure she would accept. “The new car, huh?” she sounded intrigued. “I am excited to see it at last, Alex. You have certainly been talking about it long enough.”
“I need to walk off this tight hamstring, so I’ll have to pass this time,” she had replied reluctantly. “Meet you there in five.” Of course, Charlotte had been Charlotte, and that included being unpredictable.
Charlotte, leaving Alex standing there, had taken off across the park without a backward glance. Alex stood dumbfounded a moment, watching her slow jog-walk toward the trail across the grassy lawns of Lincoln Park. She was heading directly toward their usual post-run Starbucks and if he didn’t get moving, she would be there first.
Still he stood, willing her to look back and flash him that smile that changed her whole face. She didn’t, of course, and Alex was left standing there, admiring her lithe figure and the smooth bunch and release of her muscles in those tiny running shorts as she moved into the distance. Reminding himself to close his gaping mouth, Alex jogged to the parking lot, trading an extra moment of admiring a beautiful woman for a few short moments admiring his beautiful new car.
Arriving at the coffee shop several minutes before Charlotte, Alex was forced to cool his heels. He spent the time piecing together anything he could think of to uncover Charlotte’s deep, dark, secret. Admittedly, he needed the ten-minute head start away from her to give his overheated blood a little cooling time too. He kept envisioning the two of them in that sweet ride, sitting close with their sweat-slicked bodies. The image had intensified the jolts of.electricity already coursing through his veins from running beside her scantily clothed body.
Too bad she turned me down. One of these days we will be in tight quarters, all alone, and I will make my move. I have resisted too long already.
Since the mention of her tight hamstring, all Alex could think about was massaging her leg, and moving up from there. Did the woman not understand what she was doing to him? After all, he was a healthy red-blooded man. How long was he supposed to watch her round little ass wiggle in front of him, or the glide of muscles in those incredible legs – or OMG – her breasts bob up and down in those little running tops. The woman was killing him. He wanted her so badly he could taste it.
He chided himself to stop thinking of her that way, as he always did when he lusted after her. He would catch himself wanting her and repress the overwhelming sexual response that had plagued him since the beginning. She was so much more than just beautiful and sexy. She was a brilliant woman, funny, witty, complex and delightful. She considered him a running partner, and a friend…
…but that body, oh, that body. Stop it!
Alex determined to stay focused on what she might be trying to cover up and got his desire under control. He reviewed the signs – when she changed topics or failed to make eye contact. He carefully dissected her words while he waited for her to arrive. He knew she was being intentionally elusive. Alex resolved again that today would be the day he found out what she was concealing, beginning as soon as she arrived.
Speaking of arriving, Charlotte should have shown up long before now. She would have, unless something had happened. How long had he been sitting, pondering? How much time had passed?
Heart racing like a freight train, Alex ran into the park. Unsure why, he was terrified of what he might find.
 
About Madison Michael: 
 
Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.

A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.

After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.

Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing,, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally iil or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?

 Social Links:

Guest Author: Carol Schoenig

We’re so happy to welcome Carol Schoenig and her book, The Caretaker, to Nomad Authors!

The Caretaker

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

CS: I came up with the idea for The Caretaker in talking to my friends and neighbor. I used to belong to a sewing group. One of my friends was telling us about how her sister and brother-in-law put their belongings in storage and rented out their home. They did this because they wanted to travel in Europe for 9 months. They found a job as a House Sitter in France. It just popped into my head that could make a great story, but I wanted a romance story.

My neighbors were celebrating an anniversary. I asked how did they meet. Well, they were high school sweetheart, but her parents didn’t approve of him. Vince was drafted to serve in WWII. Life moved forward for both of them. Vince’s wife passed away, and he had grown children and lived in Boston. Mary had divorced with grown children living in Cranberry Township North of Pittsburgh PA. Vince came into Pittsburgh for a 50 HS reunion. Vince stopped in at our church asked if Mary was around. Sure enough she was only a few feet away. They started dating and got married when they were 72 years of age.

They’ve been married for 15 years. Mary died a few months ago. Vince is in a nursing home.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?

CS: I’ve always wanted to go to Mallorca Spain so most of my research was finding restaurants and interesting sites in Mallorca, building supplies stores in Rome that are similar to those in the US. Home Depot.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?

CS: Love isn’t just for the young. There are so many people over 50 plus looking for companionship or love. In fact, three friends that read my book ended up in relationships.

J got married, she’s 70.
NS is 73 and dating a friend from high school, and I asked if marriage was in the horizon and she said possibly. Nancy shared with me a story about her friend I’m saving for another book.
CP is a friend of mine from high school and she is 70 and in a relationship. Neither he nor she is interested in marriage. Carol’s reasons are fodder to be used later.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?

CS: I currently work part-time in a retail store. I had a twenty-five-year career in Human Resources in various industries, engineering, health care, advertising and biotechnology.

NA: What started you on the path to writing?

CS: It has been a long time coming to be a writer. I think I was first inspired to write after reading the poem I think I’ll never see a poem as lovely as a tree That poem gave me an emotional jolt. I wanted to write something as beautiful as that poem. I want to inspire people and make them feel and see things from another prospective.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?

CS: They’re excited, supportive and proud of me. They think it’s awesome. My high school friends want me to write a book about our friendship.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?

CS: Definitely by-the-seat-of-my pants and that is not good. If I outline, I feel like someone has put me in a room and locked me up. I see the need and reason for outlining, but I have a hard time. I feel confined.
What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?

CS: Definitely sex scenes. I bought a book naughty words for good girls. One thing I’ve found though is when watching a movie and the characters will kiss, I zone in on the steps they look in the other person’s eyes, move closer, closer until their lips meet. I have a friend that writes erotic books, and she tells me she watches porn.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

CS: I think of myself as a jack of all trades master of none. I have many hobbies and likes. I’ll sew, clothing, quilts, purses. I like to make cards, sing in the choir, I like to travel, but don’t do enough of it. Spend time with my grandchildren, Bake I used to make wedding cakes. I recently did a cupcake bouquet.

NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?

CS: The Last Forever by Nora Roberts. The inn that is being renovated in the book is a real place in Boonsboro, MD and is owned by NR.

Her Summer with a Marine by Susan Meier. I love all of Susan’s books. She has written over 50 and I think I have 35 of them. I like this one because the occupation was different.

And most recently I enjoyed Her Lover’s Face by Patricia Elliott. I thought how they met was very unique.

NA: A pet peeve.

CS: Not sure what you mean here, in writing? Pet peeve is big books. I like to read something that can be done in a day or two, not a month. I prefer dialogue and not all the narrative. That’s probably why I have difficulty writing narrative.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?

CS: I hate waking up to alarms. I rarely use one and if I have to use one, I’m up before it goes off. I’ve been able to visualize or train myself to do this. I went on a retreat with a friend and she wanted to set an alarm for 6 a.m. I told all I need to do is tell myself to get up at 6 a.m. and I’ll be up. Sure enough I was up at 6 a.m. The same when I worked, I‘d visualize the parking spot I wanted and it would be available to me.

I’d love to do that with my writing. Although, I made a book jacket with the title and my name on the binding. Went to Barnes and Nobles and placed it in the spot where it would go on the shelve and took a picture. That was my motivation to keep writing. I got the book written. It’s not on the shelves of B&N. It will be one of these days.

NA: What errand/chore do you despise the most?

CS: Grocery shopping. I’ve passed it off to my husband. When I was diagnosed with Celiac disease ten years ago, I began to hate grocery shopping. It was torture. Everything I picked up had wheat in it. I’m not a big veggie or fruit eater so it was like there is nothing for me to eat. Over the years it’s gotten better and there are more options for Celiac disease. I don’t enjoy eating out a lot for the same reason.

NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?

CS: Tom Hanks or Michael Keaton. I love their sense of humor. I spoke to Michael Keaton on the phone once, but I didn’t know it was him. I worked with his sister and brother and he called in to talk to them. I passed the call through. When Doug (Michael’s brother) got off the phone he came over and told me it was Michael Keaton. He is originally from the same area where I grew up.

NA: What are you working on now?

CS: I’m finished a short story for the Mystic Desire Anthology and hope to complete my second novel A Make-Believe Engagement. It’s about a woman who lost a leg after celebrating her engagement. Shortly afterward, her fiancé dumpS her, and she loes her yoga studio. Five years later she finds herself playing the role of a fiancé to keep her sister out of jail.
I was inspired to write this for several reasons. Amy Mullins gave a TED Talk about her twelve pairs of legs. Amy lost her legs at the age of two.

I hear the struggles women have meeting guys etc. It made me think about how hard it must be if you have a disability or disfigurement.

Not every missing limbed person has a great story to tell like Amy Mullins etc. I wanted to reach out to those people and let them know not to give up.

Another book I’ve started developing my characters is a story about sexual harassment at work. I was sexually harassed at work, before there were laws to protect women. When the MeTo movement began and every time something appeared in the news about someone being harassed etc. it brought those memories back. But what I have a hard time understanding is waiting decades to come forward or wanting to sue for money or make myself known. I need to research some of this and understand more. I can only write from my experience. I just want to forget it and move on.

Also, my high school friends keep asking me to write a book about us. There are 10 of us that get together once a month for dinner. We’ve gone to elementary school and high school together. We’ve been friends for over 50 years. Last year 6 of us went on a cruise to celebrate our 70th birthdays. I think it will have to be a series, Married, Divorced, Widowed.

NA: What adventurous things have you done in your life?

CS: Windsurfing (I did this when I was younger) Zorbing
Parasailing
Zorbing
Ziplining
White water rafting
No door helicopter ride
Swimming with dolphins
Segway in Bermuda
Hot-air balloon ride

The Caretaker by Carol Schoenig

The Caretaker blurb:

Phae Carson married young to a husband that was verbally and emotionally abusive. Having two kids by the time she was 20 kept her in the relationship.

For twenty-seven years he controlled her life, not giving her access to money and not allowing her to work outside the home. He nixed family vacations and outings of any kind. He expected the house clean, home cooked meals and no laundry in the hampers.

Finally, widowed, with her children grown, Phae is presented with a job opportunity as a caretaker for a villa in Mallorca Spain. She jumps at the chance to experience some of the adventures she’d dreamed about in her youth. However, she’ll have to take control of her life. Starting by going against the wishes of her grown children Kera and Jeff, who try to dissuade her from taking the job.

In Mallorca, she finds more than she expected when she meets Finn Callahan, the owner of the villa she’s hired to take care of.

Phae initially wants no part of falling in love because she doesn’t want to lose the autonomy she has gained. But she begins to wonder if it’s possible loving someone, being in a relationship, isn’t synonymous with losing one’s independence?

Buy The Caretaker on Amazon

Author info:

Author Carol SchoenigCarol Schoenig used to joke with co-workers that when she retired she was going to sit on a beach and write scintillating romance novels.

Married to the same man for 50 years. She spends time with her two grown sons and five grandchildren.  She reads, sews and sings in the choir.

She believes you’re never too old to pursue your dreams.

Find Carol on Facebook and Twitter.

Besotted–FREE!–by Madison Michael

Here’s your chance to read Besotted for free!

Besotted
The Beguiling Bachelors, Book 4
By Madison Michael
♥♥♥ ~ Free June 19th – June 21st Only ~ ♥♥♥

About Besotted:

He Promised Forever, then Walked Away. Now he wants her back.

Tyler’s Winthrop, rich, handsome, elusive sees his moment to win Regan Howe slipping through his fingers. He has remained on the outskirts of Regan’s life since high school, reluctant to reveal his true past and expose her to danger. Despite their obvious attraction, Tyler has remained her friend and protector, keeping Regan at arm’s length for her own safety,

Regan Howe, won her coveted CEO position through hard work and a willingness to buck family tradition. Now, Brandon Hockney, a handsome US Senator with his eye on the White House, wants her to give it up, along with her home, friends and family for a move to DC and marriage to him.

Regan wants a family but is she prepared to leave all she loves, including the alluring Tyler Winthrop. Regan has waited twenty years for Tyler to commit. He once promised her forever, then he destroyed her trust and her hopes for a future together. Still, she cannot break the ties between them.

When Regan tests the waters with Brandon, Tyler is tapped as acting CEO, throwing the pair together, and forcing both to make a choice. Is this the end or their one last chance at love? Battling overwhelming odds and a racing clock, will Tyler be forced to release his one true love to find happiness with another man? How can he when he’s besotted?

As the danger mounts for Tyler,, can he wrestle free of his past and lure Regan away from her Senator? Join our handsome hero as he attempts to win back his love in this exciting and steamy page turner, the fourth of the sexy, contemporary Beguiling Bachelor romance series.


 Excerpt from Besotted:

Regan was just too damn alluring in that dress for him to accept that he couldn’t have her if he wanted her.

He was an idiot. He should have told her years ago. He should have told everyone. Despite the tongue-lashing he was silently giving himself, Tyler was certainly no fool. “The professor” to his friends, he was generally serious and professional. He had the smarts necessary to obtain both an MBA and a law degree, and he was now CEO of LHRE and on hiatus from one of the fastest growing tech companies in the country. He kept his cool in general, but again and again he behaved like an idiot around Regan.

Since that damn frog almost thirty years ago, he had loved no one but Regan. Sometimes they made it work together, like in high school, but most times not. His feelings were unchanged, but something always stopped him from declaring his love and asking her to do the same. This time it was something insurmountable.

And yet Tyler couldn’t stay away. He was the proverbial moth to the flame, flirting with disaster every time he flirted with her. He had promised to stay away, to keep her safe,but the attraction was undeniable. Yep, prize idiot.

Returning to the ballroom after the latest threats, Tyler briefly considered sharing the conversation, coming clean with Regan and perhaps moving their relationship forward. He was at a fork in the road but remained silent, Tyler knew he was on the wrong path but couldn’t summon the will to fix it. Not only were his problems unsolvable, but she was involved with Brandon. Tyler felt hopeless.

He was preoccupied just as Regan accused, but Tyler tried to give Regan the attention she deserved. He failed miserably until Regan suggested they just leave. That got his attention. Who knew when he would hold her in his arms again.

“Come dance with me again. It would be a crime to waste that dress.”

Encircling Regan in his arms, his body responded to her nearness, even as his mind worried over the earlier texts. He was unaware of his hand stroking her back, fingers lightly skimming over her bare skin. He wasn’t thinking clearly when he pulled her close or when he dropped kisses on her hair. He wasn’t paying attention, just acting on instinct, Regan was responding, her breath growing uneven, her hands clinging to his shoulders.


 About the Author:

Madison Michael is an indie publisher, blogger and the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series as well as the novella Desire & Dessert, from her sizzling B&B Billionaire Bachelor series.

 A Chicago native and hopeless romantic, Maddy was raised on Chicago culture, fairy tales, great literature and swashbuckling movies. Maddy employs that history, writing steamy contemporary romance novels set against the sumptuous backdrop of Chicago’s elite society.

 After receiving a BA in Journalism from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago, Madison abandoned her writing to find her way in the corporate business world. Daughter of a librarian, it was inevitable that she would return to the world of books.

 Maddy writes from high above Chicago where she can stare at its gorgeous skyline or the shores of Lake Michigan surrounded by feline assistants. When she is not writing, Maddy can be found lost in a book, fighting for the rights of the mentally ill, or dining on Chicago’s famous cuisine. Hot dogs and pizza, anyone?

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Congratulations to IPPY winner, Carol Schoenig!

The Caretaker--Carol SchoenigBlack Velvet Seductions author Carol Schoenig has just won the Independent Press Award for romance! Her book, The Caretaker, was chosen from hundreds of submissions to be announced as the winner of the prestigious award.

Ted Olczak of Publishers Weekly said, “I understand how difficult it can be to promote the great books that independent presses work so hard to develop and share with the rest of the world. Here is just another way for ‘indies’ to get the recognition they deserve.” So true! Which makes it all the more exciting that a colleague is taking home the prize this year.

Congratulations, Carol!

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