2022-05-31

Romance Writers Weekly ~ How did you get started? ~ #LoveChatWrite




It's time for another Romance Writers Weekly Blog Hop. This week's question is, "How’d you get started in your career? How'd you get to where you are today? What's next for you?"

Wow. So much to unpack here. I've always written and I'd considered myself a writer for all of my adult life. In my teens and twenties I confined myself to writing short stories and poems. It wasn't until my kids were school age and I realized they didn't even know that I wrote that I decided to write a book. One book led to another, and here we are today.

I have to credit the many wonderful authors I met through the organizations such as RWA, EPIC and Angela James' From Written to Recommended for helping me find publication and keeping me on track. I've also had several wonderful editors (including the aforementioned Angela James) whose support has been invaluable.

What's next...? Oh, that's so much harder. I've been focusing a lot of my efforts in the last year on learning more effective marketing and promotional strategies. As a result, my writing speed has slowed considerably. Hopefully, what's next includes finishing the books I've committed to in a timely manner!

Which means that I'm going to get back to it right now!

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to learn about how she got started writing! And be sure to check out her new release, Montana Pines Winter Romance.


First in Series, Find love in the Montana Mountains


ALSO, check out this new bookfunnel promo. Find your new favorite romance series or author with these free reads! https://books.bookfunnel.com/goodfellow01/ug35uj72ik

 

A Season for Love 

Sometimes forever begins after forty. 

These fiery and passionate contemporary romances feature characters in their 40’s, 50’s and beyond. These authors don’t close the bedroom door on the good stuff, so be prepared to get hot and bothered in the best of ways. After all, lust has no age limit!

From billionaires and alpha military heroes to nerds and single dads, this limited-edition collection of sensual and sexy stories will keep you up all night and daydreaming all day! 

The one thing they have in common? They’re about to discover it’s never too late to fall in love.



This Limited Edition Collection of Contemporary Romance includes my story, Let Me Count the Ways:



BLURB:  She's thinking fling, he's thinking forever. 

Sexy former film star Claire Calhoun is used to having her pick of studly young men. Now that she and Derek have called it quits, however, the actress-turned-entrepreneur is feeling vulnerable. After one mojito too many at a party one night, she decides it would be fun to try something new-in this case, Mike Sherman, her staid accountant and long-time fan. 

 Claire has been Mike's fantasy since the first time he saw her bare it all for the camera. Now that she's in his bed he'll do whatever's necessary to keep her there. But he's not a stalker, right? He's just a devoted fan.

2022-05-24

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Holiday Plans ~ #LoveChatWrite

 


Join us this week on the Romance Writers Weekly Blog Hop, as we discuss the upcoming holiday: 

Memorial Day Weekend is coming up. What traditions do you and your family have? Will you start any new ones?

Growing up, Memorial Day meant one thing to me: my sister's birthday. She pretty much owned the holiday at that point. Since then, most of our "traditions" have consisted of firing up the grill, or maybe hitting the beach. But THIS year...all bets are off.

See, we've moved again, and whereas last year my sister was a ten minute drive away, now she's a three hour flight. And our move has taken us away from the coast (so no beaches) and into the heart of BBQ Land, so we're real cognizant of our amateur standing when it comes to grilled or smoked anything.

One holiday tradition I won't be skipping this year is my annual "write a short Christmas story months in advance" tradition. I've got my candy canes stockpiled and I'm almost ready to go. Counting On Christmas will appear in the upcoming Let's Get Naughty anthology (see link below). And, I just have to say: I'm in love with the cover!

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to learn about her traditions. And happy holidays!


Montana Pines Winter Romance is now available for pre-order


Never let your past define your future

 Single mom, HALEY DUNN, is ready for a new start for herself and her four-year-old son, Noah. When she loses not only her job and home, but the man who she thought cared about her, she decides to leave her hometown in Michigan and head to the west coast. Why not get as far away from her past as possible? What she doesn’t plan for is getting stranded in a small Montana town in a snowstorm.

 Cowboy, RYDER BROOKES, has been on his own since he left his family’s horse ranch near Pine Meadows, Montana eleven years ago. He hasn’t intended to ever go back, but when his mom, a widow, falls and needs some help, his sister talks him into coming home, but just until he can hire some help.

 When fate lands both of them at the same place at the same time, can they help each other to stop running from the past, and learn to believe in true love? With a little help from Noah, a few horses, and one adorable kitten, they just might find a forever home and their happily ever after. 

 Find your home in Pine Meadows, Montana-where everyone feels like family.

Buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1LCMZFM


Let's Get Naughty! Now available for pre-order!



If you think it's too soon to get on Santa's naughty list...think again.

Cancel your plans and spend this holiday season with 26 romance authors who have teamed up to bring you a delicious holiday treat.

This collection will have it all: fake relationships, second chances, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, workplace romance, age gap, CEO’s, bikers, and falling for the best friend’s brother.

Each of the authors will have an unforgettable, steamy story. So come on over, grab a blanket, and get started on finding your next favorite author today.

Let’s Get Naughty is the perfect anthology for you to binge this holiday season.

Pre-order here: https://books2read.com/letsgetnaughty


2022-05-22

2022-05-17

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Writing Tools ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week the authors of the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop are answering a question posed by Brynn Paulin. "Do you have favorite writing tools or things that are a must while you write (particular pen, scent, sound, etc)?"

I think my answer is gonna have to be yes and no. I have plenty of "must have" tools, but they vary from book to book. Usually I need a playlist, or a particular album to help me keep my focus and drown out distractions. Depending on the book, I might find a particular incense or scented candle helps keep me in the mood. And then there are my beverage choices--and the right drinking vessel. Which is how I've ended up with A LOT of mugs.

Basically, I search for whatever tools will help to keep me grounded in the fictional world I'm creating. Sometimes it's a special crystal, a themed-mug, or a new perfume. Sometimes it's a new tattoo.

For my upcoming release, Funnel of Love, I've been relying on brunch drinks, Jersey memorabilia, and cupcakes to get me through my writing days. I love my work.

Now continue on to Leslie Hachtel's page to find out what tools she uses!



Murder Most Notorious


A beautiful homicide detective and a sexy cold case guy have to team up to find a vicious axe-wielding killer. 

Brutal murders have shocked the city and all the evidence points to a twin sister once thought dead. So many twists and turns in this action packed romantic thriller you might get dizzy. And so much passion.

Buy Link: https://amzn.to/3Pevyjs




* * * *



Funnel of Love

Rocco DiLuca, owner of DiLuca’s Italian Bakery, is not a happy camper. He’s just found out that his baby sister is getting married—to his former best friend—and he's not invited. But that's not even the worst part. They’ve hired someone else to make their wedding cake! 

Stephanie Sands thinks the Chamber of Commerce’s mentorship program is a great idea! She’s not ashamed to admit that her boutique bakery, Sugar Kink, isn't quite making it. Yet. But the mentor she's been assigned, Rocky D, isn’t just traditional, he’s positively medieval. It’s no wonder his sister wants nothing to do with him! 

Can the two bakers put aside their differences (and the insane attraction they feel for each other) and learn to work together? Or will their dreams fall as flat as a failed souffle? 

Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/mvoerj

2022-05-15


 Summer's about to get HOT with over 100 free erotic stories--one month only!


Includes my short vampire story, Blame It On The Voodoo!



What’s a little black magic among friends? 

Vampire Rene Boudreaux is more than a little annoyed. It seems sexy voodoo queen Zirondelle Doucette has got him under her spell. Can Zee convince Rene that the only real magic is love? Or will he continue to blame it on the voodoo?


EXCERPT“It’s getting to where you can’t swing a dead chicken around here anymore without it smacking into one damn psychic or another.” 

Zirondelle Doucette couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as she listened to her Aunt Serafina’s complaints. Her aunt stood at the window of their family’s shop, staring out at the street, and Zee didn’t have to guess too hard to figure out the cause for her discontent. Another “damn” psychic had recently put out her shingle in the previously vacant storefront directly across from their own. 

“And if it’s not a psychic it’s a card reader,” the other woman continued, grumbling crossly. “Or a palm reader. Or tea-leaf reader—” 

“Or a purveyor of Voodoo essentials?” Zee suggested, holding up the little gris-gris bag she’d just finished assembling. 

Serafina turned her head to glare at her niece. “Don’t sass me, Zee. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” 

 “Yes, Ma’am, I do.” Ducking her head, Zee started in on the next charm. She knew it wasn’t psychics per se with whom her aunt had a problem. Serafina was a tolerant soul, not the kind who’d ever take a stand against anyone else’s religion or spellcraft or spiritual beliefs. It was the idea of all those make-believe mystics making a mockery of their family’s calling that was trying the older woman’s temper, and not without cause. 

The Doucette family had owned and operated their establishment in the self-same Royal Street location for several generations, dealing in authentic rituals, in candles and jujus, talismans and spells. It was hard not to take it personally when your way of life was turned into a kind of circus act by greedy imposters. But as Zee and her aunt both knew, the charlatans did in fact have a place and a purpose in the grand scheme of things. 

Oh, how the tourists loved them. They ate up their acts and purchased their trinkets as eagerly as they did the beignets at the Café du Monde. Or jazz on Frenchmen Street. Or hurricanes in Pat O’s Courtyard. It was all part of the Crescent City mystique, like Po’ Boys and crawfish, pralines and beads. In an odd way, they kept things safe. They kept the merely curious from straying into dangerous territory. 

“Oh, Lawd.” Aunt Serafina’s sudden gasp caught Zee’s attention. 

She glanced up in surprise. “Auntie, what’s wrong?” 

 “It’s him.” Serafina scurried back behind the counter where her niece was working, babbling nonsensically. “He’s back. He’s coming this way. What should we do? What does he want this time?” 

“Do about what?” Zee asked, feeling mystified and mildly exasperated. “Who’s back?” She loved Serafina; truly she did. Her aunt had taken Zee in after her parents passed, without question or hesitation—the only member of their somewhat eccentric family who seemed to have any idea about what to do with a bewildered little girl who’d suddenly been orphaned. Zee would never forget the older woman’s kindness but, all the same, there were times, like now, when dealing with her aunt seriously tried Zee’s patience. 

 The Doucette family had a certain reputation; they were known for being fierce and fearless. They prided themselves on it, in fact. But Serafina had always been unusually timid for a Doucette. Right now, her pale eyes, also unusual in a Doucette, were wide with fear, the pupils dilated; her voice was but a whisper. “Monsieur Boudreaux.” 

 Boudreaux. The name itself meant very little. It was as common as dishwater around those parts. But between the look on her aunt’s face and the singing certainty in her own heart, Zee knew exactly which Monsieur Boudreaux Serafina meant. She meant Rene Alcide Boudreaux. Zirondelle’s Monsieur Boudreaux. Dominant. Vampire. Master. 

 But not her master. No, not yet.

2022-05-10

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Childhood Memories ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week's Romance Writers Weekly blog hop question is: What is the one thing that immediately sends you back to childhood? Is it a food, a scent, a swingset?

That's such a great question! But there's no way I can pick just one. Here's a (partial) list in no particular order.

1. Chocolate ice cream--but not just any chocolate ice cream. I actually had a conversation about this quite recently with my daughter. There's a certain type of chocolate ice cream--I wish I knew what brand (brands?) so that I could summon the memory genie whenever I wanted to, but I don't--that immediately sends me back to one particular day in my childhood. I was probably four or five years old and had walked to a playground several blocks away from my house with my grandmother. I know it was summer because after I'd played there for awhile we walked over to a nearby ice cream shop slash soda fountain. It was noticeably cool and dark inside, coming in from the hot, bright day, and we sat on stools at the bar and ate ice cream out of little metal dishes that were sweating from the cold.

2. Chamomile. When I was a child my family used to vacation at a farm in Vermont. The yard in front of the farmhouse was filled with chamomile. It was the first time I'd ever encountered it and still to this day, whenever I smell it, I'm transported back in time. For just an instant, I'm standing on the big blocks of granite that served as the steps up to the front porch, watching as the horses we were going to be riding on were saddled.

3. This one particular Italian Restaurant I walked into the other day. OMG--the smell! It was like walking into my Italian grandmother's kitchen on a Sunday afternoon after she'd been cooking. I'm sure I've been to a gazillion Italian restaurants--some that were actually IN Italy--but this was different. This was very, very, very specifically my grandmother's kitchen. I suspect it's ruined me for all other Italian restaurants for the foreseeable future.

4. Tomato Plants. The scent takes me back to my uncle's garden and I'm walking through rows of plants with my father on our way to harvest a few ears of corn for supper.

There are also a lot of objects that remind me of my childhood, but they're just not as powerful as scents and tastes.

Now, please pop over to A.S. Fenichel's page to learn about the things that prompt her childhood memories.



BEN The heart attack I thought I had turned out to be an anxiety attack. My doctor’s orders—take a month off from being Mayor of Roseville. Bulldozed by my large but tightknit family, I agree to a yoga and meditation retreat in Southern California. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the woman who owns the place would turn my world upside-down. Portia is too young for me. Geographically, too far away from me. She’s also everything I never knew I wanted. 

PORTIA When my friend asks me to help her cousin-in-law manage his stress, I agree immediately. I’d do anything for a friend. She told me he’s the mayor of her town, so I’m expecting some old guy. Far from it. Ben Lane is six-feet-two inches of I-want-to-strip-you-naked-and-take-you-to-bed man. I’m turned on the minute I see him. How I could go from someone who’s never been infatuated to I-can’t-live-without-you is some kind of miracle. I’m pretty sure the miracle is Ben.





Rocco DiLuca, owner of DiLuca’s Italian Bakery, is not a happy camper. He’s just found out that his baby sister is getting married—to his former best friend—and he's not invited. But that's not even the worst part. They’ve hired someone else to make their wedding cake! 

Stephanie Sands thinks the Chamber of Commerce’s mentorship program is a great idea! She’s not ashamed to admit that her boutique bakery, Sugar Kink, isn't quite making it. Yet. But the mentor she's been assigned, Rocky D, isn’t just traditional, he’s positively medieval. It’s no wonder his sister wants nothing to do with him! 

Can the two bakers put aside their differences (and the insane attraction they feel for each other) and learn to work together? Or will their dreams fall as flat as a failed souffle? 


Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/mvoerj

2022-05-03

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Ae You Superstitious? ~ #LoveChatWrite

 


This week's RWW question is: "Are you superstitious?" It's a fun question, isn't it? But I I figured I'd b'd better double-check and see exactly what superstition is before I answered it. Merriam Webster defines suspicion as "a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation." Which sounds verrry judgy IMO. 

Anyway, I'd say yes. I'm definitely superstitious in that I absolutely trust in magic and/or chance. Why would anyone not? How unimaginably boring would life be if you never trusted in things you didn't completely understand, or could completely quantify? 

Not to mention--hello!--what sensible person doesn't occasionally fear the unknown? It's UNKNOWN! It could be something HORRIBLE!

So, yes, I cross my fingers and knock on wood, and say "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit," first thing on the first of the month. I make a list of everything I'd like to accomplish in the new year every December, and set fire to it shortly after midnight January first. And I have little rituals I  go through every time I start writing a new book. Do any of these things make a difference? No...except that they make me feel better, and that's really the entire point. 

I suspect you'd have to be at least a little superstitious (at least from time to time) in order to enjoy writing (or even reading) PNR. Which I do. My current series, Games We Play is only lightly paranormal. There are ghosts and a boggart, a curse, and an enchanted stone; but otherwise the series is completely contemporary. 



The Name Game
A Games We Play Story

He knows what to do to save her business. She knows what he needs to fix his life! 

Atlas Beach is experiencing a retail renaissance—and Carly Meyer is determined to be part of it. But she and her sandwich shop, The Lunch Box, are struggling to stay afloat.

Luckily, help is on the way thanks to the Chamber of Commerce’s innovative mentoring program—partnering successful Atlas Beach business owners with some of the newer start-ups. Too bad the mentor assigned to her is the delectable—and highly annoying—Tino DiLuca.

Tino knows exactly what’s been hurting Carly’s business and—exactly how to fix it. But his number one solution, changing the name of her signature sandwich, is the one thing she’s not prepared to do.

Buy Links HERE

More about the series HERE and HERE


Now, hop on over to Brynn Paulin's page to learn what superstitions she might be harboring!  





BAD BOY BANDLEADER
Brynn Paulin


Lottie:

No lie, I have always crushed on the bad boy of rock, Ryder McKenzie. In the privacy of my bedroom, I fantasized about getting away from my evil stepmother and maybe seeing one of his concerts. In all those dreams, I never imagined I'd suddenly be free and Ryder would be my rescuer.

Now, I'm on the road with my rock idol, acting as his assistant and fake girlfriend. Problem is, none of it feels make believe at all.

Ryder:

It's all real. Every single bit. Lottie is mine, and I don't care what anyone thinks about it. Now that I have my perfect girl, I'm never letting go.