Romance Writers Weekly ~ Vacation Plans! ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked the question: "Would you rather vacation at the beach, a Scottish castle or Paris and why?"

Oh, that's easy. Paris is fabulous. I've been several times and I love it. I haven't been to Scotland yet, but I've been to England and Ireland and I've been to castles and stayed in palaces in India--I'm sure I'd have a great time there. BUT I am an ocean girl at heart and it's been a very long fourteen months since I've so much as seen the ocean. So...take me to the beach, baby!

And that's really all I have to say about that.

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page and learn what vacation destination she'd choose. And don't forget to check out her book, Bound to Morocco.  

Set in the exotic and dangerous world of Sultan Moulay, woven in intrigue, three English women have been kidnapped and sent to his harem. This is Book #1:

“Bound to Morocco”

Abandoned and alone, Lady Shera must find a way back to England. She gets assistance from an unlikely source: the man who kidnapped her. When their partnership turns to love, the two must face constant danger to endure. But will they ever be free?

https://amzn.to/3UT64vj

https://books2read.com/rejectedimmortal

Rejected by the Immortal

A Limited Edition Vampire Rejected Mates Collection 

 In the dark streets of the city, immortal vampire kings stalk the shadows. Centuries of power have built their empires, but nothing can slake their thirst for blood—or passion. 

 A vampire’s fated mate brings them new powers, but before they revel in their new power they first face even greater weakness, which only a few survive and even less are willing to try. 

 For those few mates who are brave enough to give into the dangerous allure of a vampire mate, they will break all laws of society to be with their true loves but most immortal bloodlines are centuries deep. Is their love enough to break the curse? Only time will tell... 

 Includes my Children of Night story:  Dancing in the Dark

Available for Preorder now

https://books2read.com/rejectedimmortal

Romance Writers Weekly ~ What cheers you up? ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked the question: "What cheers you up when you're feeling down?"

I can think of so many things--many of which we've discussed in previous blog posts. Here's a short list in no particular order:

 

1.     My dog. For most of my life, I’d have said my cats, but at present I have only dogs and my biggest baby—Tatanka has the most comforting presence of anyone I’ve ever known.

2.     A nice bottle of wine—especially when shared with friends, or in a beautiful setting. I think a lot of that is the memories associated with enjoying a good wine with good people, but it’s a delight. And, on that note…

3.     That first cup of coffee in the morning. I love both coffee AND tea; and I have a huge tea collection to prove it. And some days/events/moments absolutely call for tea rather than coffee. BUT that first cup is just the cheeriest thing I know.  Bonus points if it can be enjoyed outside in a beautiful setting. I have a mug that says, “Every day is a clean slate and a fresh start,” and nothing hammers that point home better than the aroma of fresh coffee in the sunshine (or amid the morning fog, for that matter). Even more bonus points if it’s accompanied by good friends, or a good book, or my dog, or a nice breakfast, or in proximity to the beach. And on THAT note…

4.     The ocean. Really, any body of water will do. Swimming,  sitting in a hot tub, or reading a good book in a bubble bath with a glass of wine or a cup of tea, or being on a boat—all make this mini list.  but the ocean definitely tops it.

5.     Being in nature—I’ve danced around this one in several of the previous points, but being outside really recharges me. Right now I’m living in a semi-rural area and just driving around in it can really brighten my day.

6.     A good book—also mentioned previously. Reading one, writing one… OBVIOUSLY, since writer’s block is the main cause of discontent in my life, WRITING really serves to cheer me up!

7.     Exercise. I love yoga. I used to (when I was lighter, and my knees were younger) love running. Walking is great—see points four and five—especially if the weather is nice and I have the TIME to do it, because being too hot, too cold, too rained on or windblown, or too stressed thinking about all the other things I need to do not bring the cheer.

There's probably more, but I  think you get the idea!  Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page and learn what cheers her up. And don't forget to check out her book, Murder Most Notorious.  

Detective Laura Chandler and her partner, John Resciniti, are called to the scene of a double murder that is reminiscent of the Lizzie Borden killings. The prime suspect is the victims’ daughter, but she swears to them she has a twin sister who was spirited away at birth and has returned to exact revenge.

Laura meets the new cold case guy, Devin Andrews, and she is instantly attracted to him. But work has been her focus for so long, she hesitates getting involved, especially with a co-worker.

Two more vicious murders and additional clues that indicate there just might be an elusive twin sister. There is also evidence to suggest missing children and babies being sold on the black market.

Convoluted and thrilling, they all must face personal challenges as the evidence unfolds.

A shocking ending makes for a page-turning story.

https://amzn.to/41bGSCC

https://books2read.com/loveisintheair

Love is in the Air

A Limited Edition Second Chance Romance Collection

Sometimes we don't get it right the first time around. That's why life gives us second chances.

This limited edition romance collection features 20+ stories of hope, happy ever afters, and the second chances it took to get there.

In this collection you will find stories of second chances at love and life as our heroes and heroines embark on life changing journeys, whether changing careers or moving half way across the globe.

About the collection:

All NET Author proceeds are being pledged to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the highest rated breast cancer organization in the United States and largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide.

Includes my Games We Play story, White Elephant Gift Exchange

Available for Pre-Order now!

https://books2read.com/loveisintheair

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Tropes! ~ #LoveChatWrite

 

Welcome to another week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop! Today's topic is tropes! We're asked the question: "What are your favourite tropes to read and write?"

Ooh. Always a tricky question for me. I'm not all that big on tropes, to be honest.  I do love a good second chance romance story because it's all about redemption and growth and hope and all that good stuff. And who doesn't love a good redemption story? Also, as a writer, you've already got all those yummy emotions right there,  just waiting to spill out. I struggle with writing insta-love; even though I've seen plenty of real life "love at first sight" stories, so I don't know why I'm so skeptical. In second chance stories, the H/H know exactly what they're getting into.  

OTOH, I'm working on a second chance story right now, and it's not coming together all that well. I think there may have been a little too much water under that particular bridge. 

But, really as a reader--and even more as a writer--I love to try different things. Every time I decide there's a trope I  have absolutely no interest in, my very contrary muse starts pestering me with story ideas for that very trope.  

Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page and read about her favorite tropes. And don't forget to check out her book, Strictly By the Book.

It's release week for Strictly by the Book!

An adventurous, go-with-the-flow historian…a scrupulous, stick-to-the-rules scientist…an attraction so wrong it’s absolutely right. 

 Natalie Minton’s cheerful exterior hides desperation. She’s been out of work for months when her estranged sister appears on her doorstep pleading for help. An offer to write the biography of a local political legend couldn’t come at a better time. 

 Rafe Talbot rejected family tradition and chose medicine over politics. When he stumbles upon evidence of a hidden scandal, his only recourse is to work alongside—and stay one step ahead of—the vivacious scholar hired to chronicle his mother’s career. 

 Natalie’s exuberance strikes sparks off Rafe’s steely severity, luring them to ignore the secrets shadowing their pasts…until the glare of the present exposes intolerable truths.  

https://books2read.com/StrictlybytheBook

https://TinyUrl.com/Shifter-Fever

Shifter Fever

A Limited Edition Free Collection

This free Shifter-themed collection will be available through Bookfunnel for a limited time only, and will include my short story: Can't Fight the Moonlight ​ 

The Sierra Nevada foothills have been vampire Josiah Lodge’s hunting grounds for over a century. Alone since a lover’s betrayal cost him his family, the former trapper-turned-wildcrafter has given up on ever again finding love or acceptance. If he didn’t have to eat, he’d never venture out of his woods again. But needs must. ​ 

When Coldpelt (Cole) Moonwalker’s true shifter nature asserted itself, he was judged an abomination and cast out of his pack. Without a territory to call his own, he’s constantly on the move—which is how he ends up on Josh’s doorstep. While Cole dreams of someday finding a place where he can belong, he knows that place can never be with the scarred and surly vampire who undoubtedly has the blood of Cole’s people on his hands. 

 Will the attraction they feel for one another allow these natural enemies to overcome their sense of mutual distrust? Is enemies with benefits even a thing? Find out when you download this FREE anthology!

https://TinyUrl.com/Shifter-Fever

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Favorite Springtime Recipe ~ #LoveChatWrite

 

Welcom to another week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop! It's time for a recipe swap! Now the days are warming up, we're asked to share our favourite springtime recipe.

Well, with Easter right around the corner, I'm going to share an egg recipe. I don't think there's anything prettier or Spring-y-er than Pavlovas. I actually made this for Easter dinner a couple of years ago, and really like how the picture turned out, so I'm sharing it again! 

What made it "mystical" was the monkfruit I  used to sweeten it,( because my son and daughter in law were into Keto at the time) and the non-dairy yogurt I used instead of whipped cream, (my grandson had a dairy allergy), because I wanted to make a dessert that people would actually eat.

I've lost the original recipe I used, but there's not a lot of variation, so I'm including a link to a recipe that seems pretty close.  Also, I'm not going to lie: it's a lot easier if you don't have to substitute the sugar or the cream. pavlova-recipe

It really is one of my favorites. I especially like it for a Sunday/Holiday/middle of the day dessert when I've used the leftover egg yolks to make an orange hollandaise sauce (either for Eggs Benedict or to serve with steamed asparagus).  

https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/sauteed-asparagus-with-easy-orange-hollandaise-sauce-recipe/

Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page and read about her favorite recipe. And don't forget to check out her book, Strictly By the Book.

Pre Order Now in Ebook and Paperback! Releases April 13 

An adventurous, go-with-the-flow historian…a scrupulous, stick-to-the-rules scientist…an attraction so wrong it’s absolutely right. 

 Natalie Minton’s cheerful exterior hides desperation. She’s been out of work for months when her estranged sister appears on her doorstep pleading for help. An offer to write the biography of a local political legend couldn’t come at a better time. 

 Rafe Talbot rejected family tradition and chose medicine over politics. When he stumbles upon evidence of a hidden scandal, his only recourse is to work alongside—and stay one step ahead of—the vivacious scholar hired to chronicle his mother’s career. 

 Natalie’s exuberance strikes sparks off Rafe’s steely severity, luring them to ignore the secrets shadowing their pasts…until the glare of the present exposes intolerable truths.  

https://books2read.com/StrictlybytheBook

https://TinyUrl.com/Shifter-Fever

Shifter Fever

A Limited Edition Free Collection

This free Shifter-themed collection will be available through Bookfunnel for a limited time only, and will include my short story: Can't Fight the Moonlight ​ 

The Sierra Nevada foothills have been vampire Josiah Lodge’s hunting grounds for over a century. Alone since a lover’s betrayal cost him his family, the former trapper-turned-wildcrafter has given up on ever again finding love or acceptance. If he didn’t have to eat, he’d never venture out of his woods again. But needs must. ​ 

When Coldpelt (Cole) Moonwalker’s true shifter nature asserted itself, he was judged an abomination and cast out of his pack. Without a territory to call his own, he’s constantly on the move—which is how he ends up on Josh’s doorstep. While Cole dreams of someday finding a place where he can belong, he knows that place can never be with the scarred and surly vampire who undoubtedly has the blood of Cole’s people on his hands. 

 Will the attraction they feel for one another allow these natural enemies to overcome their sense of mutual distrust? Is enemies with benefits even a thing? Find out when you download this FREE anthology!

https://TinyUrl.com/Shifter-Fever

Shifter Fever! New Antho Available Now!

 

 

Let us help you scratch that itch…

Get your FREE copy of SHIFTER FEVER

https:TinyUrl.com/Shifter-Fever

SHIFTER FEVER HAS 6 STORIES WITH DROOL-WORTHY SHIFTERS...

 

FROM THE ASHES BY RUBY BANKS

MATE OF THE ALPHA by MARIE MASON

CANT FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT by PG FORTE

HER VIKING WEREWOLF by DEMELZA CARLTON

HOMECOMING by ANNEE JONES

THE HIDDEN PRINCE by BARB SHULER