2022-10-07

Vampires Are On the Prowl!

 


It's Halloween Season. What better way to spend it than reading a Paranormal, Fantasy, Sci-fi or Spooky Romance?

https://books.bookfunnel.com/october-pnr-fantasy-sci-fi-romance/3qsh9u8tsb


Going Back to Find You is one of the books featured in this event. Here's the blurb and a brief excerpt. Also, btw, one of the books I'm working on at the moment is a sequel to this book, so I'm feeling very into Jason right now...


Because even a vampire deserves a second chance.  


 When Jason Cook boarded the train to San Francisco, he didn't plan on coming back. He never really thought he'd see Nebraska or Lizbeth Petersen ever again. 


But when an unexpected turn of events threatens the woman he'd been forced to leave behind, he has no choice but to go back and try to make things right.  


 Warning: This is not a drill. Vampires are invading your favorite, small Nebraska town this Halloween. 


Does this mean Type-O flavored Booze will soon be the new rage in Sapphire Falls? Hopefully, it won't come to that. But you never can tell... 





Excerpt:  

San Francisco, California 
Three weeks before Halloween… 

 If there was one thing Jason Cook knew to be true, it was that he was no one’s idea of a hero. He was moderately big, moderately strong; he knew a thing or two about following directions and keeping his mouth shut—all good traits to possess if there was heavy lifting to be done or bodies to be disposed of. Not that there’d been all that many of the latter, but he was a vampire, so there’d definitely been a few. 

But other than those odd occasions when someone with his particular skillset was required, Jason was used to being…well, overlooked was not too strong a word for it. If he were honest, it was a state of affairs that suited him fine. 

It didn’t hurt his feelings one bit to be able to fly under everyone’s radar. In fact, he considered it a valuable survival technique. Experience had taught him to steer clear of stronger, meaner, or more short-tempered vampires. No good ever came from attracting their attention. As for purposely seeking one out or, worse yet, actively confronting one of them? That was a tactic he preferred to keep in reserve for instances in which his life, or someone else’s, might depend upon it. Which is why he was currently at risk of hyperventilating as he stood in the dimly lit upstairs hallway of the Quintano Mansion, trying to force himself to knock on the door to his sire’s private office. 

It had been a surprise to receive word that Conrad wished to speak with him. And by no means a happy one. It was the first such invitation Jason had received in the one hundred and sixty years he’d been part of the Quintano vampire family. He had no idea what it meant, but it was hard to believe it was anything good. 

“He’s not Floyd,” Jason whispered encouragement to himself. “He’s nothing like him.” Floyd, Jason’s original sire, had been a bully with a mean streak a mile wide. Conrad, for all that he was stronger and far more dangerous than Floyd, had never struck Jason as being a bully. Then again, how well did you ever really know anyone? 

“Enter!” A voice growled from within the room, pulling a defeated sigh from Jason’s lips. Not a bully, but as short tempered and prone to violence as the next vampire. Of course, Conrad would have heard him muttering to himself in the hallway just outside his office. Heard him, or scented him… Hell, for all Jason knew, Conrad might have looked through the wall and seen him. Jason had no idea what was possible when it came to the enhanced abilities most other vampires seemed to possess. 

Most other vampires. But not Jason. 

 Resigning himself to whatever fate awaited him, Jason pushed open the door and poked his head inside. “Good evening, sir. You wanted to see me?” 

“Yes, Jason, thank you. I appreciate your being so prompt.” 

“Oh…uh, certainly,” Jason replied, reluctant to leave the relative safety of the doorway. “You-you’re welcome.” 

Conrad looked as out of place in the elegant, paneled room as Jason felt. He was dressed casually enough. His shirt was open at the throat, the sleeves rolled up to reveal heavily muscled forearms, but they were the kind of muscles, or so Jason had long suspected, that one only developed over decades, possibly centuries, of repeatedly wielding heavy swords. There was nothing civilized about Conrad Quintano, a fact that struck Jason anew practically every time he saw him. 

If Jason was not mistaken, that desk Conrad was seated behind was the same desk Jason had been enlisted to help move into the room sometime in the mid-1800s. Perhaps that’s why he was here now? Perhaps Conrad had merely decided the office was overdue for an upgrade. It wasn’t impossible that was the case, and there was nothing lost in hoping for it.


Coming This Holiday Season


LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Her love could light up his night...if they can both survive that long.

Heather is having the worst Christmas ever! Or, at least, the worst Christmas since she was forced to become a vampire. Her sire's distracted, her nestmates have forgotten her, weirdos have taken over the lair. The only bright spot in her life right now is Drew--who didn't even used to like her! She knows he's coming around, but that's not good enough. She wants more. She wants everything. She wants him. And she's not giving up. 

Drew Geiger gave up on love a long time ago. Such tender emotions have no place in a vampire's heart. But, somehow, the girl he once described as a "feral kitten" has got her claws in him, and she's not letting go. That would be fine, if only someone didn't want her dead--and if her sire didn't recall that it was Drew who once suggested that maybe she'd be better off that way.

​

Tentatively scheduled for a December 2022 Release



Releasing Next Year: 


CHASING DAYLIGHT

This story takes place at the same time as Light Up the Night, but the focus is on Jason and Liz (Going Back to Find You) rather than Drew and Heather.

​Scheduled to release on April 1, 2023 as part of the FREE antho, Shifter Fever










DANCING IN THE DARK

Sometimes living forever is not all it's cracked up to be. 

1956 Winnipeg, Canada. Once Armand Renaud realizes that eternal youth is a real possibility, nothing will deter him from achieving his goal. And after one hundred years of solitude, Conrad can’t bring himself to resist the handsome young dancer who’s hellbent on being turned. 

They both know they’re not destined to be the great loves of each other’s lives, but there are worse ways to pass a long and lonely decade or two than in the arms of a passionate stranger. 

Living forever might not be everything they’d hoped for. But, at least they can still get a few things right. Can't they?

​

Scheduled for release November, 2023 as part of the Vampire Rejected Mates anthology.

2022-10-04

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Good Advice ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop we answer the question, "Share the best advice you’ve ever received. What advice do you always remember and come back to? Who gave you that advice?"

You know, most of the good advice I've received over the course of my life has been pretty specific--and most of that has had to do with a particular problem (by which I mean a problem having to do with a particular book) and doesn't translate to general circumstances.

The one piece of advice that I do actually try to live by came from a movie. On Golden Pond (1981). Katherine Hepburn, in a conversation with her daughter, Chelsea (played by Jane Fonda) tells her, "Everyone's just doing the best they can." Or words to that effect. And that really struck me then, and has stayed with me since then.

Whenever someone's driving me nuts, or I can't understand why they're doing whatever it is they're doing, I try and remember that it's not personal and it's probably not intentional. Everyone (for the most part) is just getting by, just doing the best they can from where they are. Which is actually pretty good writing advice, too, come to think of it. Because doing the best you can is ALL you can do writing wise.

And hopefully, your best will be good enough.

Now, head on over to Jill Haymaker's page to learn what she's reading. And be sure to check out her book, Christmas Stocking of Love



Last week to pre-order! 

 What good is a Christmas Stocking if you have no one to fill it? 

When widow, Charlotte Heber, moves to the small town of Aspen Ridge, Colorado, high in the Rocky Mountains, she has high hopes of meeting a handsome cowboy and starting a new life. But months pass, and the only cowboy she’s met doesn’t seem interested. She’ll have to be content with spending yet another Christmas alone. 

Boone Skinner has avoided marriage for almost seventy years. A confirmed bachelor, he’s content to run his horse ranch in Peakview County by himself with no one to keep him company except for his two rescue cats, Rip and Lloyd. Oh, it had been fun when Charlotte came to his ranch to ride a couple months back, but he is sure she isn’t interested in an old cowboy like him.

They’ve both underestimated the matchmaking determination of Peakview’s cafĂ© owner, Violet Crandall. Once she gets it in her head that two people are a match, she doesn’t give up.As the month of December unfolds, these two discover just how nice it can be to have someone with whom to share the various celebrations. The closer they get, the more Charlotte wonders if she really is ready to love again, especially with someone so different from her deceased husband. Is Boone really worth the risk of being hurt again? 

Can a special Christmas stocking bring them together? Rediscover Romance in Aspen Ridge, a small town with an open heart.







Let's Get Naughty
A Limited Edition Romance Anthology

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.









2022-09-27

Romance Writers Weekly ~ What Books Are You Working On? ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week on the Romantic Writers Weekly Blog Hop we're asked, "What are your goals for the next six or even 12 months? What books are you working on? What's next for you?"

Oh, I'm so glad you asked! The answer is: Anthologies! Lots and lots of anthologies. I'm scheduled to participate in NINE between now and the end of next year. And that doesn't include any of the books I hope to publish independently during that time--mostly re-releases, but still! If this doesn't shake up the algorithms, I might have to give up trying!

Here's what the list looks like (with pre-order links were applicable).

Let’s Get Naughty

My story: Christmasing with You

Series:  LA Love Lessons

November 1, 2022

Pre-Order: https://books2read.com/letsgetnaughty

 

 

Just Another Day

My story: Ring Around the Rosie (tentative title)

Series: Games We Play

January 1, 2023

 

Shifter Fever

My story: Chasing Daylight 

Series: Children of Night

April 1, 2023

 

Redemption

My story: Christmas Angel

Series: Angels in the Afterlife

May 16, 2023

Pre-Order:  https://books2read.com/b/br1JkE

 

 

Living Out Loud

My story: Witch Would You Rather?

Series: Games We Play

August 8, 2023

Pre-Order:

 

Love is in the Air

My story: The White Elephant Gift Exchange

Series: Games We Play

August 8, 2023

Pre-Order:  https://books2read.com/loveisintheair

 

 

Love and Coffee

My story: Whole Latte Love

Series: Games We Play

September 19, 2023 

 

Let’s Get Naughty #2

My story: Last Room at the Inn 

Series: LA Love Lessons

October 1, 2023

 

Vampire Rejected Mate

My story: Dancing in the Dark

Series: Children of Night

December 1, 2023




Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page for more fabulous Fall flash fiction! And don't forget to check out her book, Never Too Busy.





What's that saying? Never too busy for love? 

The characters in this limited-edition anthology have been—until they come across the Never Too Busy Dating app. It caters to professionals thirty-years of age and older and promises to match them with the person of their dreams. After all, workaholics deserve a happily ever after, too. 

Enjoy ten sultry, sexy stories featuring strong female leads and their determined partners in this brand-new collection! 

 Are you too busy for love? Pre Order on Amazon, Kobo, Google, Apple, and Nook before it goes into Kindle Unlimited (and the price goes up) after release!

 








Let's Get Naughty 
A Limited Edition Romance Anthology 

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 36 romance authors who have teamed up to bring you a delicious holiday treat. 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.

2022-09-20

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Fall Flash Fiction ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week on the Romantic Writers Weekly Blog Hop we're asked to try our hand at some flash fiction and celebrate the equinox by writing. "a scene set in Autumn using the words Leaf, water, and coffee. Try to keep it to 500 words."

I think the scariest thing about that is the last part. Five hundred words? Daa-yum! It's gonna take more words than that just to intro this piece!

Anyway, this little gem is told from the POV of Giada (haven't decided on a last name for her, yet) one of the characters in my Atlas Beach series. I think the reason she sprang to mind was probably because her (as yet to be written) book is called, Whole Latte Love and is set in Autumn. 



Autumn has always been my favorite season. Which, I know, is a horribly basic to say, but there it is. I used to think my it was because it coincided with the start of the school year. Every year, when September rolled around, my foolish heart would stubbornly insist that this year things would be different. Then I’d get to school and, of course, things never were different. There were no new opportunities, no fresh starts—well, of course, there wouldn’t be! I lived in a small town. I went to parochial school. My world was vanishingly small. And nothing was ever going to change that.

Still, there was always shopping. New clothes, new books, new school supplies—I was there for it all! Even when the clothes were wrong, and I didn’t like the way any of them looked on me. Even when I wasn’t allowed to pierce my ears, when I was forced to cut my hair again, when the looseleaf binders I picked out caused all the adults in my life to second-guess my choices. 

 “Are you sure that’s the one you want? Are you really sure? Wouldn’t you much rather have one like this?” 

 No. Thank you. I would not rather. 

Look, it’s not that their choices were bad. Primary colors, space exploration, dinosaurs, construction vehicles—all very solid choices. For someone else. Someone like my best friend, Ben, for example, who loved all those things. But they never spoke to me—the me that I always was inside. 

 by which I mean that, if they spoke at all, which of course they didn’t, their words would just be reflections of other people’s beliefs about who I was, rather than the reality. 

 And I know—boy, do I know—that there are people out there, including an author whose books I grew up reading, who believe that I’m the one with the reality problem. That I’m the one in denial. The one who doesn’t know her own heart, mind, and soul. They think they know who I am better than I do. 

 And all I have to say about that is, walk a mile in my shoes, biatch. Better yet, buy me a pair of Jimmy Choos—since your ass can afford to and mine never will (not on my salary) not to mention that HRT don’t come cheap—and I’ll walk that mile, come back, and tell you all about it. Seriously. I’d walk a lot farther than a mile for some stylish new kicks. 

 All of which is a very roundabout way of saying that Fall has fallen. If I'm even allowed to say that. I mean…people say Spring has sprung all the damn time, and usually weeks before they even ought to. But the only things ever said to fall in Fall are leaves and temperatures. And, so far, not a single leaf has fallen. But still, it feels like Fall, you know? 

There’s a uniquely autumnal fragrance to the air. When I pass the beach on my way to work, the water is a different shade of blue than it was just a few weeks ago. MacIntosh apples have started to appear in stores—the only apple worth eating, in my not-so-humble opinion. And, the most obvious sign of all, my favorite seasonal coffee flavor is back on the menu. 

Think what you want, but I’m bringing basic back. It’s gonna be the new sexy. And I am all about the PSLs.


Now, hop on over to Brenda Margriet's page for more fabulous Fall flash fiction! And don't forget to check out her book, Never Too Busy.



What's that saying? Never too busy for love? 

The characters in this limited-edition anthology have been—until they come across the Never Too Busy Dating app. It caters to professionals thirty-years of age and older and promises to match them with the person of their dreams. After all, workaholics deserve a happily ever after, too. 

Enjoy ten sultry, sexy stories featuring strong female leads and their determined partners in this brand-new collection! 

 Are you too busy for love? Pre Order on Amazon, Kobo, Google, Apple, and Nook before it goes into Kindle Unlimited (and the price goes up) after release!

 






Let's Get Naughty 
A Limited Edition Romance Anthology 

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 36 romance authors who have teamed up to bring you a delicious holiday treat. 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.

2022-09-13

Romance Writers Weekly ~ What are you reading? ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop we answer the question, "What are you reading now and why did you choose it?"

This is a hard one. Currently, I'm binging Christmas books to help me stay in the mood for the book I'm writing--and the one I'm writing after that--which are both set at Christmas. I'm plowing through books at a rate of one per day, and have been for months. So they do tend to blur a little.

The book I most recently finished was The Christmas Date by Camila Isley, which was cute. It's the second of her Christmas books that I've read.The other was Christmas Caroline--which is set in New York/New Jersey, my old, old stomping grounds. I haven't been in awhile, but I'd still be very surprised to learn that, in reality, if you exit the Lincoln Tunnel on the Jersey side now you immediately find yourself in an affluent suburb. It's been an urban landscape since before my birth. My suspension of disbelief foundered pretty immediately, after that.

One book that I read recently that stands out was The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand. That was brilliant. Set mostly in NYC, with a side of LA (both of which I've lived in) there were no, "what the hell is she even talking about?" moments.

Now, head on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to learn what she's reading. And be sure to check out her book, Murder Most Notorious.

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

Get it HERE






Let's Get Naughty
A Limited Edition Romance Anthology

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.







2022-09-07

PREORDER Sale ~ Two Days Only

 

 

TWO DAYS ONLY!

Now until Friday, September 9, you can get an extra 25% off the already low, low price of .99 cents for this antho (releasing November 1st). And it's NOT TWENTY-six stories, btw. It's THIRTY SIX steamy Christmas themed stories. That's two cents a story. 

Okay, that's crazy. Imma need a minute--and maybe a coupla gallons of mulled wine--to deal with that. Speaking only for myself, I'm excited for you to read my new story. Which is definitely worth more than two cents. Geez. 

Anyway...

Available for Nook only.  https://tinyurl.com/LGN-Nook Use promo code PREORDER25





2022-09-06

Romance Writers Weekly ~ The Hard Part ~ #LoveChatWrite



This week on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop we answer the question, "What is the hardest part for you in writing?"

For me, that changes from day to day, year to year, even book to book. There are times when everything flows and nothing about writing seems difficult, other times when everything is a challenge.

Currently, my biggest problem is focus--or a lack thereof. The last few years have been brutal. My ability to concentrate is at an all time low and I've been taking part in a lot of anthologies--which means shorter stories. I don't do short easily. So, I'm constantly getting 3/4 of the way through a story, panicking at the word count and stopping work to edit everything I've written down to the bones.

I love writing and there's nothing else I'd rather be doing, but it's all the hard part!


Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page and find out what part of writing is hardest for her. And don't forget to check out her book Stay With Me.




Is it possible for a home to keep the essence of previous owners? Can someone reach out from the past and offer help when it’s needed? 


Two women. Years apart. Linked by common experience and a cottage that has survived since the Civil War. When Rebecca reaches out from the past, Evelyn finds it life changing. 


And in their own times, each must discover strength and fight to find and keep true love.


Buy it HERE.






Let's Get Naughty
A Limited Edition Romance Anthology

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.





2022-08-30

Romance Writers Weekly ~ How Do You Handle Rejection? ~ #LoveChatWrite


This week on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop we address the question, "How do you handle it when your work is rejected?"

Honestly, it's been a long time since I had a publisher reject me, in part because I've been mostly indie for the last few years, but I've had readers and reviewers who've been less than thrilled with certain of my books, and that's kind of the same thing. 

The biggest problem with rejection, IMO, is that, as writers, we're too close to our work. It's impossible to be objective. If everyone is giving you the same, negative feedback you have to consider that perhaps they're right.

On the other hand, you can't be so easily swayed that you change for every opinion, or you'll end up with something that doesn't satisfy anyone.

All of which is a very longwinded way of getting to the point, which is that the way I handle rejection is by reminding myself that everyone faces rejection sometime. You literally cannot please all the people all the time, no matter who you are. 

Even the most brilliant and/or popular writers who ever lived had critics--people who absolutely loathed them and their work. And some of those people were also brilliant popular, authors--their freaking peers! Somehow, I think that had to hurt even more...unless the feelings were mutual, of course.

Case in point, this list of famous authors who couldn't stand each other's writing: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/608-famous-authors-who-were-not-fans-of-other-famous-authors

Now head on over to Brenda Margriet's page and see what she has to say about handling rejection. And don't forget to check out her FREE book Secrets Under the Covers.



SECRETS UNDER THE COVERS

(Book One in the Silverberry Seduction Seasoned Romance Series. Helen and Nathan both 55.)

Ebook is now FREE!

The peace Helen Mansfield struggled to achieve after the death of her husband is threatened when she discovers a lump in her breast. Determined to keep the alarming news to herself until the biopsy results are revealed, she sets out to wring every drop of delight from her days.

Nathan Spieth stood by his wife while she fought and ultimately lost her battle with cancer. Since then, he’s devoted his energy to rebuilding the career that he neglected during her final years, and all his hard work is about to pay off.

As neighbours and friends, Helen and Nathan’s lives have been woven together for more than twenty years. One impetuous, impassioned night might destroy everything they share—or prove to this fiercely independent woman and determinedly solitary man that love is always worth the risk.


Get it here: https://books2read.com/SecretsUndertheCovers



My new holiday story Christmasing With You will release on November 1st as part of the Let's Get Naughty holiday anthology--available for pre-order now!


Let's Get Naughty 
A Limited Edition Romance Anthology 

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.