Category Archives: Author Showcase

RELEASE DAY FOR DEJA YOU

30 Tuesday May 2017

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RELEASE DAY: DEJA YOU

E-books 99¢ RELEASE DAY SPECIAL
Paperbacks $10.99

deja you jpeg image

TITLE: Déjà You
PUBLISHER: Emerald Lily Publishing
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon | B&N Paperback |Paperback

In Déjà You, five authors share stories of second chances, as varied in telling as the writers themselves.

Kelly Cain’s We’ll Always Have Oahu takes us on a whirlwind New Adult romance set in the 80s between a young woman on a high school graduation trip and a handsome Navy sailor.

Bianca M. Schwarz transports us to 1760 in The Pearl with the story of Marcus Landover, who attends a card party and ends up with more than he bargained for in the beautiful Sophia Chelmsford.

Amanda Linsmeier’s Joy and Sorrow reunites lovers separated by death in a Women’s Fiction tinged with the unusual.

The Eyes of the Heart by Jamie McLachlan gives us Rosalina, who is forced to confront her attraction and the truth about her blindness when a new gardener is hired at the Greystone house.

Finally, C.H. Armstrong brings us Mr. Midnight, where tragedy reunites two star-crossed lovers, but misunderstandings soon rip them apart. Now, six years later, the stars are realigning with the help of the smooth voice of a late night radio DJ.

Some of the stories are sweet, some sad, some steamy, but all carry the same theme. Déjà You is a collection of stories for those who believe in love, but most of all, second chances.

The Birth of Déjà You

About two years ago, a group of five novice writers signed with the same small publisher, each inexperienced in the publishing world yet committed to understanding the process and finding success. Through their mutual dive into unchartered territory, Amanda Linsmeier, Bianca M. Schwarz, C.H. Armstrong, Kelly Cain, and Jamie McLachlan reached out to one another and became instant friends, sharing laughs, tears, and the struggles of life and writing. We soon dubbed ourselves “Book Besties.”

During the fall of 2016, we decided to write a book of short stories together. As friends, we wanted to combine our talents to create a collection that would inspire hope and happiness. After much deliberation, we chose the theme “Second Chances” and decided to title this anthology, “Déjà You.” Though each story contains the same theme, they all are as unique as the author who wrote it. Including New Adult, Women’s Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, and Contemporary Romance, each short offers a different take on the theme and involves varying heat levels, from sweet to steamy.

About the Authors

kellycain200x200Kelly Cain has published a multicultural adult and new adult romance, but she writes across genres and age groups, currently penning book one of a young adult urban fantasy series. Most of her stories are set in Texas with frequent travels to her home state of California, and all of her stories have an excess of food weaved throughout.

If she’s not writing, she’s probably reading. Or maybe cooking. Check out her website for recipes for dishes featured in her books, and some other fun stuff. She has two adult daughters and lives in a suburb of Houston, Texas.

Kelly is the author of Altered, a new adult multicultural romance and Connections, a steamy short story exclusively available on Amazon. Visit her on her Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or Tumbler.

authorphotoweb

Bianca M Schwarz was born in Germany, spent her formative years in London, and has a US passport, but she considers herself a world citizen. She lives in Los Angeles because that’s where they make movies and she used to work on them. She writes novels because that’s kind of like making a movie in people’s heads and because she just loves books. Bianca has one son, because that’s all she can handle and she tolerates her husband because, well, she loves him and there is no help for that. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

10254015_492271840927359_9159417025130441003_nAmanda Linsmeier is the author of Ditch Flowers and Beach Glass & Other Broken Things. Her writing has been featured in Portage Magazine, Literary Mama, and Brain, Child Magazine. Besides writing Women’s Fiction, she loves reading and writing fables, fairytales, and fantasy, and sometimes she pretends her Hogwarts letter is still coming. She can be found blogging about writing and books at amandalinsmeier.com. When she’s not writing, she works part-time at her local library and brings home more books than she has time to read. Amanda lives in the countryside, surrounded by trees, with her family, two dogs, and two half-wild cats. You can Amanda’s blog for book reviews and random musings, or check her out on Twitter or Facebook for more information.

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Jamie McLachlan is the Canadian author of Mind of the Phoenix, an Amazon Bestseller in Dark Fantasy and the first novel in the Memory Collector Series. The third, Rise of the Phoenix, is set for release in summer of 2017. When not writing, Jamie reads, dabbles in various crafts, and spends time with her family. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and her website.

blogging

C.H. Armstrong is an Oklahoma-native transplanted in the Midwest. A life-long lover of books, she made her author debut with the 2016 release of her historical fiction novel, The Edge of Nowhere, which was inspired by her own family’s struggles during the one-two punch that was The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl. Armstrong is currently working on two young adult novels and is a regular contributor to the Minnesota-based women’s magazine, Rochester Women. Visit her on Twitter, Facebook, and her website.

For more information on Déjà You or the Book Besties, visit their website, or find them on Twitter or Facebook.

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Cover reveal – Déjà You

27 Monday Mar 2017

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deja you jpeg image

TITLE: Déjà You
PUBLISHER: Emerald Lily Publishing
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2017

In Déjà You, five authors share stories of second chances, as varied in telling as the writers themselves.

Kelly Cain’s We’ll Always Have Oahu takes us on a whirlwind New Adult romance set in the 80s between a young woman on a high school graduation trip and a handsome Navy sailor.

Bianca M. Schwarz transports us to 1760 in The Pearl with the story of Marcus Landover, who attends a card party and ends up with more than he bargained for in the beautiful Sophia Chelmsford.

Amanda Linsmeier’s Joy and Sorrow reunites lovers separated by death in a Women’s Fiction tinged with the unusual.

The Eyes of the Heart by Jamie McLachlan gives us Rosalina, who is forced to confront her attraction and the truth about her blindness when a new gardener is hired at the Greystone house.

Finally, C.H. Armstrong brings us Mr. Midnight, where tragedy reunites two star-crossed lovers, but misunderstandings soon rip them apart. Now, six years later, the stars are realigning with the help of the smooth voice of a late night radio DJ.

Some of the stories are sweet, some sad, some steamy, but all carry the same theme. Déjà You is a collection of stories for those who believe in love, but most of all, second chances.

The Birth of Déjà You

About two years ago, a group of five novice writers signed with the same small publisher, each inexperienced in the publishing world yet committed to understanding the process and finding success. Through their mutual dive into unchartered territory, Amanda Linsmeier, Bianca M. Schwarz, C.H. Armstrong, Kelly Cain, and Jamie McLachlan reached out to one another and became instant friends, sharing laughs, tears, and the struggles of life and writing. We soon dubbed ourselves “Book Besties.”

During the fall of 2016, we decided to write a book of short stories together. As friends, we wanted to combine our talents to create a collection that would inspire hope and happiness. After much deliberation, we chose the theme “Second Chances” and decided to title this anthology, “Déjà You.” Though each story contains the same theme, they all are as unique as the author who wrote it. Including New Adult, Women’s Fiction, Fantasy, Historical, and Contemporary Romance, each short offers a different take on the theme and involves varying heat levels, from sweet to steamy.

About the Authors

kellycain200x200Kelly Cain has published a multicultural adult and new adult romance, but she writes across genres and age groups, currently penning book one of a young adult urban fantasy series. Most of her stories are set in Texas with frequent travels to her home state of California, and all of her stories have an excess of food weaved throughout.

If she’s not writing, she’s probably reading. Or maybe cooking. Check out her website for recipes for dishes featured in her books, and some other fun stuff. She has two adult daughters and lives in a suburb of Houston, Texas.

Kelly is the author of Altered, a new adult multicultural romance available wherever books are sold and Connections: A Steamy Short Story exclusively available on Amazon. Visit her on her Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or Tumbler.

authorphotoweb

Bianca M Schwarz was born in Germany, spent her formative years in London, and has a US passport, but she considers herself a world citizen. She lives in Los Angeles because that’s where they make movies and she used to work on them. She writes novels because that’s kind of like making a movie in people’s heads and because she just loves books. Bianca has one son, because that’s all she can handle and she tolerates her husband because, well, she loves him and there is no help for that. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

10254015_492271840927359_9159417025130441003_nAmanda Linsmeier is the author of Ditch Flowers and Beach Glass & Other Broken Things. Her writing has been featured in Portage Magazine, Literary Mama, and Brain, Child Magazine. Besides writing Women’s Fiction, she loves reading and writing fables, fairytales, and fantasy, and sometimes she pretends her Hogwarts letter is still coming. She can be found blogging about writing and books at amandalinsmeier.com. When she’s not writing, she works part-time at her local library and brings home more books than she has time to read. Amanda lives in the countryside, surrounded by trees, with her family, two dogs, and two half-wild cats. You can Amanda’s blog for book reviews and random musings, or check her out on Twitter or Facebook for more information.

5b26cd_c6727b40380f424a9a8f337501ca0160~mv2

Jamie McLachlan is the Canadian author of Mind of the Phoenix, an Amazon Bestseller in Dark Fantasy and the first novel in the Memory Collector Series. The third, Rise of the Phoenix, is set for release in summer of 2017. When not writing, Jamie reads, dabbles in various crafts, and spends time with her family. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and her website.

blogging

C.H. Armstrong is an Oklahoma-native transplanted in the Midwest. A life-long lover of books, she made her author debut with the 2016 release of her historical fiction novel, The Edge of Nowhere, which was inspired by her own family’s struggles during the one-two punch that was The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl. Armstrong is currently working on two young adult novels and is a regular contributor to the Minnesota-based women’s magazine, Rochester Women. Visit her on Twitter, Facebook, and her website.

For more information on Déjà You or the Book Besties, visit their website, or find them on Twitter or Facebook.

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Cover reveal – Scandal by Athena Grayson

23 Thursday Mar 2017

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I’m happy to share with you a cover reveal. Take a look at the cover, then scroll down for a nice giveaway!

Today is the cover reveal for Scandal by Athena Grayson. This cover reveal is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The cover is designed by Jennette Marie Powell.

ScandalScandal (Scions of the Star Empire #1)
By Athena Grayson
Genre: Sci-fi dystopian with romantic elements
Age category: New Adult/ Adult
Release Date: 23 March 2017

Blurb:
Nothing infuriates Princess Ione Ra more than having someone else take control of her reputation from her, and her old nemesis–gossip journalist Jaris Pulne–is poised to do just that with pilfered pics of her caught in a compromising position with her power-couple partner. As someone who’s no stranger to manipulating the markets on her own social life, Ione knows the wrong scandal means social suicide.

For the other half of the power couple, Den Hades, his survival has depended on staying in his powerful father’s shadow in order to protect his secrets. But on the very night of his one chance to earn a shot at becoming a Scion–and freedom from his father’s ambitions, scandal threatens to tear him from Ione, or worse–force them together before their time.

Damage control turns into danger when their attempts to retrieve the images lead them both into the dark underbelly of the glittering city-planet, exposing secrets of both friends and foes that could lead to more than just social suicide.

Scandal is only 0.99$ for a limited time!
You can find all the buy links for this book here.

Excerpt Fool’s Gambit
©2016 Athena Grayson
Denaat Hades held his blade extended, his arm outstretched. He held the lunge on one burning thigh muscle while he stood in near-complete darkness, waiting for the spectacle to begin. The landscape of the party had given way to the evening’s main event—an exhibition duel and bladework demonstration between himself and the Academy’s Blademaster with a twenty-five year record.
Gone were the ornamental topiary plantings that created nooks and alcoves for socializing, and gone was the impressive display of fine foods and the waterfall made from champ-ale bubbling and fizzing over cut-crystal held under pressurized glass until it burst out of the pursed lips of a crystal nymph into glasses for guests. They’d been discreetly cleared away for anti-gravity pods holding comfortable seating for up to a dozen guests. The pods jockeyed for position along x, y, and z axes based on the credit amounts donated by their occupants, except for the single, stationary pod holding his instructors and closest classmates, fixed to the floor at the edge of the ring of drones generating the light field for the dueling area.
Gone also was his shiny, holo-patterned suit and the starsilk shirt beneath it, and the ornamental lights in his hair. His finery—picked out by his class’s style consultant to display his status and wealth—was stuffed into a storage container in favor of light, form-fitting carbon-fiber armor, with a matching face mask. Gauntlets secured to his wrists generated power for the sensors emitting an electro-mesh shield around his body that shifted with the movements of his off hand. His weapon, an elegant blade of wire and light, derived its power from his main hand gauntlet and the glove that protected his hand. Tuned to full, the blade could melt steel or puncture the transparent alloy that made up the dome above his head.
Thankfully, this was an exhibition duel. The blades would sting, but not incapacitate or kill.
He waited, holding his ready position, as the banners came down, displaying his family’s banner, with the twinkling ribbons of support from classmates and other interested parties, and the Academy banner, under which Master Kenndar dueled. Tradition kept the Academy banner free of ribbons, but his neural interface told him the odds of his loss were just under fifty percent. The markets were calling this a close thing and the players in the markets were nothing, if not savvy odds-players.
The lights came up around the ring, plunging the shifting observation cars into darkness as Master Kenndar entered from the other side of the oval. He took his cue to step forward, meeting his opponent in the center of the ring. He executed the formal bow, hand-grip, and blade salute deserving of a worthy opponent and prayed his master’s teachings weren’t wasted. He returned to his ready position to await the chime beginning the match, but not before he glanced towards the stationary box and spotted her in the front row, the lights in her hair twinkling in time with the flashes of crystal on her dress.
Ione wore a small smile of bored amusement, echoing the expressions of probably everyone in the audience, and he knew their thoughts. Yet another Academy student, ready to show off for status and praise, as if the privileges of his born position didn’t already come with their own accolades. His gaze flicked to the VIP box and he saw another bored, slightly amused expression, only he knew this one masked keen interest. As if the man sensed his scrutiny, Invicti Hades lifted one eyebrow and Den heard the words as surely as if they’d been broadcast for all to hear. What new way have you found to disappoint me?
The lurking paranoia he’d lived with for ten years summoned itself to the forefront of his awareness as the lights in the arena changed to a soft blue. The chimes sounded for Ready and Arm, and his blade flared to golden life. Across the ring, Master Kenndar assumed his own ready position. Den felt the eyes of the spectators crawling over him, adding weight to his protective gear. Waiting for him to fail.
The last chime sounded. Engage!
He leapt forward, his awareness extended out to the blade’s end, as he’d been taught and trained by Kenndar to do for ten years. And knew he’d made a mistake.

Series Blurb for Scions of the Star Empire:

They can have anything they want…except a future.

The children of Landfall’s powerful nobility have all the wealth and privilege of their family status, but there’s only one thing that will give them true freedom–the title of Scion. The only way to earn it is by carefully managing the social influence markets that rank them according to their accomplishments. At the exclusive Landfall Cultural Academy, the heirs compete to elevate their status high enough for the Cultural Trust to grant them the title and the freedom to make their own way, and scandal is as good as scholarship.

About the Author:
Athena Grayson likes kickass heroines, big-brained and sexy beta heroes who aren’t afraid of strong women or their own feelings, and stories that turn the genre tropes sideways. If you’re looking for something a little unexpected, a little more, and a lot of fun…this is your kinda place.

You can find and contact Athena here:
– Website
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Amazon
– Goodreads
– Bookbub

Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Scandal. The giveaway is open international. These are the prizes you can win:
– a galaxy pendant (picture below)
– a $5 Amazon gift card

Galaxy pendant

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Release blitz for Worth It by C.M. Owens & S.M. Shade

02 Monday Jan 2017

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Worth It

by

C.M. Owens & S.M. Shade

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Releasing: January 2nd

#WorthIt #OwensShade #Yama #RomCom #ReleaseBlitz

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Purchase Now

Amazon U.S. -> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAKKV9P

Amazon UK -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAKKV9P

B&N -> http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/worth-it-cm-owens/1125289169

iBooks -> https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/worth-it/id1183170947

Kobo -> https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/worth-it-13

Synopsis

What’s the recipe to the ultimate disaster week?

Three unruly friends.
A wedding we shouldn’t have been invited to.
Two unexpected romances.
A scoop of sexy.
And a double scoop of chaos.

Lydia is a good girl who is above revenge. Good thing she has us. No one cheats on our best friend and rides off into the sunset with his new bride.

What was supposed to happen? Unleash hell like two badasses. It was a simple plan, but we failed to anticipate a few things. A rogue prosthetic, an accidental exorcism, and dominatrix strippers willing to take things way too far, just to name a few.

What actually happened? As usual, nothing went as planned, especially when two sexy distractions popped into the mix. We were there to avenge our friend, not to get entangled with two cocky, arrogant men, who don’t like to hear the word no. I was sure we could resist.

I mean, it was only a week, right? What could happen in a week?

Not intrigued enough? There’s totally a duck in this story.

Ah yeah. Now we have your undivided attention. Enjoy our chaos.

#WorthIt

Trailer

About the Authors

C.M. Owens

USA Today Bestselling Author of the Sterling Shore Series, Property of Drex, and Deadly Beauties.

C.M. Owens always loves a good laugh, and lives and breathes the emotions of the characters she becomes attached to. Though she came from a family of musicians, she has zero abilities with instruments; she sounds like a strangled cat when she sings; and her dancing is downright embarrassing. Just ask anyone who knows her. Her creativity rests solely in the written word. Her family is grateful that she gave up her quest to become a famous singer.

Author Links for C.M. Owens

Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

S.M. Shade

S. M. Shade is a homeschooling mom hopelessly addicted to Dr. Pepper, love stories, sunshine, and men with full sexy lips, though not necessarily in that order. A voracious reader since sounding out her first word, she started writing as a teenager and rediscovered her love of writing as an adult. Originally from Indianapolis, she now lives in a small Kentucky town with her teenage son.

Author Links for S.M. Shade

Amazon | Facebook | Facebook Group | GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram |

Sign up to S.M. Shade’s Newsletter

Cover Reveal – Hollywood Homicide

24 Monday Oct 2016

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I’m excited to be a part of the cover reveal for #HollywoodHomicide from author Kellye Garrett. Without further ado, here it is…

hollywood-homicide

Title: Hollywood Homicide

Book 1 in the Detective By Day Series

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Release Date: August 8, 2017

Book Blurb:

Dayna Anderson doesn’t set out to solve a murder. All the semi-famous, mega-broke black actress wants is to help her parents keep their house. After witnessing a deadly hit-and-run, she figures pursuing the fifteen-grand reward isn’t the craziest thing a Hollywood actress has done for some cash.

But what starts as simply trying to remember a speeding car soon blossoms into a full-on investigation. As Dayna digs deeper into the victim’s life, she wants more than just reward money. She’s determined to find the poor woman’s killer too. When she connects the accident to a notorious Hollywood crime spree, Dayna chases down leads at paparazzi hot spots, celeb homes and movie premieres. She loves every second—until someone tries to kill her.

And there are no second takes in real life.

About Kellye Garrett

kellye-garrett

Kellye Garrett spent 8 years working in Hollywood, including a stint writing for the CBS drama Cold Case. People were always surprised to learn what she did for a living—probably because she seemed way too happy to be brainstorming ways to murder people. A former magazine editor, Kellye holds a B.S. in magazine writing from Florida A&M and an MFA in screenwriting from USC’s famed film school. Having moved back to her native New Jersey, she spends her mornings commuting to Manhattan for her job at a leading media company—while still happily brainstorming ways to commit murder. Her first novel, Hollywood Homicide, will be released by Midnight Ink in August 2017. It’s the first book in the Detective by Day series.

Connect with Kellye

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

You can pre-order the e-book and print edition on Amazon.

Release Day for Drawn to Her by Jenna Harte

12 Tuesday Apr 2016

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I’m pleased to be a part of the release event for Drawn to Her, Book 1 of the Southern Heat series by Jenna Harte! I’ve had the pleasure of reading this title and really enjoyed it (see my review here).

DrawntoHer

Title: Drawn to Her

Series: Southern Heat #1

Author: Jenna Harte

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Penner Publishing

Release Date: April 12, 2016

Buy NOW at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

Feisty and outspoken, Lexie McKenna will do anything to protect her cantankerous and ailing patient—even if it means going up against his cold and calculating, but sexy and irresistible grandson. After all, as a nurse, her number one priority is her patient.

Drake Carmichael doesn’t trust the nurse who’s taking care of his grandfather—despite how adorable and compassionate she seems. He refuses to let her get her grips into their hard-earned money. But as the two square off and begin to battle about what is best for the dying man, Lexie and Drake realize they know very little about each other and that first impressions are deceiving. Once they finally give into their desires, the battle has only just begin.

With a fight between family and fortune, love and lust, will either one be able to find the southern comfort they both truly crave?

———————————————

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

jenna11

 Jenna Harte is a die-hard romantic writing about characters who are passionate about and committed to each other, and frequently getting into trouble. She is the author of the Valentine Mysteries, the first of which, “Deadly Valentine,” reached the quarter-finals in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. She has a bundle of stories filled with romance, mystery and even time travel rattling around in her head and is eager for the day when a device is invented allowing her to download what’s in her brain onto her computer. When she’s not telling stories, she works by day as a freelance writer, author, blogger and online entrepreneur. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, two college-bound children and a fat cat.

Connect with Jenna on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest.

 

 

Interview with author Jenna Harte

08 Monday Feb 2016

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Are you a Sweet Harte? If you’re a fan of Jenna Harte (which I happen to be) then indeed you are a Sweet Harte. Jenna is the author of the Valentine Mystery series and the upcoming Southern Heat series which will be published through Penner Publishing. I’ve read the first installment of the Valentine Mystery series, Deadly Valentine. See my review.

Background Info

Author name: Jenna Harte

Book title: Deadly Valentine; Old Flames Never Die; With This Ring, I Thee Kill; ‘Til Death Do Us Part, To Love, Honor, and Kill, Death Under the Mistletoe (novella) – All are part of the Valentine Mystery Series

Group

Tell us a little about yourself and your background: I didn’t grow up reading or wanting to write, so it’s a bit odd to find myself in middle-age wanting to do both. My background is in social work (mostly adoption), but when I had kids, I wanted to work from home, and eeked out a career online in freelance writing, entrepreneurship, and writing non-fiction.

I’m a die-hard romantic with a particular fondness for passionate couples who get into trouble (think Nick and Nora Charles, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, Jonathan and Jennifer Hart). I started writing fan fiction as a way to put characters I loved into new situations. I developed a fan base, and I had one story stolen twice. At that point, I wondered if maybe I had some talent and decided to write an original story. Deadly Valentine was the first in a planned series about a committed, passionate couple who gets into trouble a lot.

My other interests are chocolate, coffee and Disney. Although California born and raised, I’ve lived in central Virginia for 22 years. I have an extremely supportive husband, two kids in college (when did I get that old??) and a fat cat.

Tell us a little about your novel: Deadly Valentine is the first book in the Valentine mystery series, which I refer to as a “sexy cozy” so romance readers know they’ll get a series with a passionate couple, but die-hard cozy readers who don’t like intimate scenes can avoid it.

The story starts three years after Tess had a life changing event (revealed in the book) and is confronted by a man from her past, Jack Valentine, while at a party where the host is murdered. Jack is accused of the murder, and Tess, a lawyer, agrees to represent him. During the course of the investigation, they learn a 30-year old secret that changes Jack’s life forever. Along with a murder investigation, Tess has to learn to trust and possibly love again.

The following books also include a murder mystery that sometimes puts a wrench in Tess and Jack’s relationship, but through it all they grow individually and as a couple. The stories are light, romantic, filled with banter, and yes, as a loving couple, they do the things that loving couples do.

Have you written anything else (including novels, short stories, novellas, etc.): I have two out of three romances written for Penner Publishing due in 2016. The first, Southern Comfort is a straight romance, and the second, Southern Persuasion is a romance that includes a mystery, and pays homage to of my all time favorite books, Persuasion by Jane Austen.

The Delecoeur stories are novellas involving a slightly older couple (40’s) that get into trouble. While the stories were previously published, they’re currently not available as I work out what I want to do with them.

Q & A

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk: My family says I make faces when I write, probably because I’m trying to figure out how to describe an expression.

Is there a specific time of day that you enjoy writing the most: I do my best writing first thing in the morning.

What romance books would you recommend to readers who will love your books: The closest are JD Robb’s In Death Series, although my stories are lighter and less gritty. The Thin Man is light and has the same banter, and Agatha Christie’s Partners In Crime stories involve a crime-solving couple, although they’re not highly romantic.

Do any of your characters take off on their own tangent and refuse to do what you had planned for them? If so, which one did it the most and what did they do: Interestingly, most of my character development happens during the writing, so I follow them wherever the heck they want.

Who’s your most memorable book crush: Well, the obvious choices are Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Captain Wentworth (Persuasion), but going with more current books I’d say, Rafe MacKade (The Return of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts), Jack Boudreaux (Cry Wolf by Tami Hoag) and of course, Roarke (In Death books by JD Robb – Nora Roberts). For the most part, they’re all the same guy (dark, dangerous, sexy). Interestingly, most my male protagonists aren’t that guy.

What other types of stories do you have in the works: I have a marriage of convenience story which will be the third book in romance series for Penner Publishing. I’m also in the middle of writing a traditional cozy involving an underemployed Harvard grad and an airplane repo guy. I have notes and a few scenes written on a paranormal trilogy (I know, we have enough of those), possibly a cozy paranormal mystery and opening scenes for a YA time travel.

What’s the biggest challenge in the writing process: Right now I’m having trouble because the characters making the most noise in my head are not from the story I want to write at this time. But since they’re talking, I guess their book is the one I’ll work on. The biggest challenge, though, is getting unstuck or not having the mental energy to write.

Do you have any pointers or advice for aspiring writers: Write a lot. Make it a part of everyday like going to work or brushing your teeth. If you want to sell your work, start building your author platform now.

Favorite song: Today, it’s Sugar by Maroon 5. I love old R&B, particularly Marvin Gaye.

Favorite movie/tv show: Persuasion (Amanda Root version) (movie)/ Hart to Hart TV show. Today I like Bones and Castle (notice all are couples who get into trouble…LOL).

Chosen superpower: Force/Magic

Toilet paper: over or under: Either

Real book or tablet: Both

Star Trek or Star Wars: Wars

Excerpt

Deadly Valentine

This takes place in Chapter Four of Deadly Valentine. Tess has had a hard night. She’s got the flu, has run into Jack Valentine, a man from her past, and found the host of the gathering she was at murdered. In this scene, Jack has brought her home after being questioned by police, and is putting her to bed.

Jack’s one hundred percent electric sports car, which he said was a Tesla, drove nicely. So nicely that she fell asleep and only woke when he lifted her from the car.

“Whoa, what are you doing?”

“I’m taking you to bed.”

“What?”

“Not to make love. Not tonight, anyway.”

Tess felt her jaw drop to her chest.

He laughed. “That’s what I love about you, Tess. You’re clueless to your own appeal.” He shifted her slightly as he slipped her key into the door. “I got your key from your purse.”

She wanted to be annoyed. She was a little bit. But a part of her liked being coddled. Being in Jack’s arms brought her back to three years earlier. He hadn’t carried her then, but he’d held her when her world crumbled. He promised he’d stay with her, help her. He hadn’t been able to keep that promise. Remembering the events following that fateful night reminded Tess why she hadn’t wanted to see Jack again.

“You don’t need to carry me around. I’m not that sick.”

“Where’s your room?”

She pointed towards the short hallway that led to one of the two bedrooms in her small home. He carried her in, setting her on the bed. “Do you have pajamas or something?”

“Yes, I have pajamas! Not that I’m going to let you put them on me.”

“I’ll get them for you. I promise not to look.”

“You can go now. I can take care of myself.” She slipped her hand under her pillow to pull out a pair of faded flannel pajamas. There was nothing like flannel to make a man turn and run, she thought. But Jack stood his ground, determined to keep watch over her.

“Get settled. When I know you’re okay…”

“Then you’ll leave?” she asked.

“Maybe.” He turned his back to her, but didn’t leave.

Tess sighed. She was too tired to argue. Her black dress was cut low enough in the back that she could reach the zipper. She slipped the sleeves from her shoulders and stood to let it drop to the floor. As she reached for her pajama top she heard a quick hitch of breath. Looking up, she caught Jack’s eyes watching her through the reflection of her dresser mirror.

Her first thought was that she wanted to poke his eyes out with a stick. But then she was struck by how he was looking at her. A woman could live her whole life and not have a man look at her like that. So her second thought was how glad she was that she wore the black Carine Gilson bra with matching panties. Despite her attempts to live a modest life, she hadn’t been able to give up her love of fine lingerie.

Her third thought was that although Jack wasn’t a stranger, after three years apart, he wasn’t in a position to be allowed to ogle her, even if the awe in his eyes stirred something inside her she’d thought long dead.

Their eyes caught and she was pleased that he seemed as off guard as she was. She was sure he blushed as he gave her a sheepish smile and stepped to the side, effectively cutting off his view of her.

Tess finished putting her pajamas on and tossed her clothes on her treadmill, promising herself she’d hang them up in the morning. She slipped under her covers telling herself that when she had her energy back, she’d get mad at him. For now, she just wanted to rest.

“Okay,” she said as she pulled the covers up to her chin.

He turned to her. “I suppose I should apologize.”

She shrugged.

“But I’m not sorry.” He sat on the side of her bed as if he’d done it a hundred times before. It should have annoyed her, but it didn’t. Despite the years apart, there was still a connection. What did bother her was the effect his nearness had on her hormones. Apparently, they weren’t as dormant as she’d hoped.

“I’d like to tell you what I’m really thinking, but I don’t think you’d appreciate it.”

“How unusual for you to hold your tongue.”

He grinned. “It’s difficult.”

“I appreciate your restraint. Are you going now?”

He frowned. “Why is it so disturbing for you to see me again?”

She sighed. That was a topic she didn’t want to get into. “It’s been a long night. Seeing Asa like that…” She let her words trail off.

He nodded. “It’s been a difficult night. But you were upset about seeing me before that.”

“I have a new life now.”

“You talk like I’m a secret you don’t want anyone to know about. Is that why you want me to think you and Deputy Dan are an item?”

“What makes you think we’re not? Daniel loves me.”

“That’s painfully obvious. Poor sap.”

“Jack!” She nearly laughed because it was true. But she didn’t want to encourage Jack. “I care for him too.” That wasn’t a lie. She did care for Daniel. He and his parents were like family. They were the only people she connected with at an emotional level. They had been there for her as a teenager and again three years ago when her life unraveled and she needed a safe place to fall.

“Maybe. But you aren’t in love with him. Why did you want me to think you were?”

“I never said I was.”

He gave her a chastising look. “You didn’t correct me when I asked. Why is that?”

What could she say? Because I didn’t want you to think I’m available? He hadn’t cared when she was available. He would laugh at the idea that she thought maybe his flirtation meant more.

“That part of my life when we knew each other is over. I’ve moved on.”

“Moved on.” The tone in which he repeated her words let her know she hurt him.

Author Bio

Jenna

Jenna Harte is a die-hard romantic writing about characters who are passionate about and committed to each other, and frequently getting into trouble. She is the author of the Valentine Mysteries, the first of which, Deadly Valentine, reached the quarter-finals in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. She entered into a three-book deal for a romance series with Penner Publishing in 2015, with release dates in 2016.

She has a bundle of stories filled with romance, mystery and even time travel rattling around in her head and is eager for the day when a device is invented allowing her to download what’s in her brain onto her computer.

When she’s not telling stories, she works by day as a freelance writer, author, blogger and online entrepreneur. She lives in central Virginia with her husband, two college-bound children and a fat cat.

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Release Day for On The Rebound by Jim Cangany

26 Tuesday Jan 2016

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ON THE REBOUND IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Author: Jim Cangany
Release Day: January 26, 2016
Genre: Sports Romance
Publisher: Penner Publishing

 

SYNOPSIS

FINAL_AMAZON-APPLE-EBOOK-300x464On The Rebound is a sweet, sports romance set on the campus of fictional Irving University. It’s a story about second chances and features a women’s college basketball team. Here’s a teaser for you.

After he’s caught in a grade fixing scandal, men’s college basketball coach Greg Miller is thrown a lifeline when an old friend offers him a job with the small-school Irving University women’s team.

Academic Advisor Ciara Monaghan knows first-hand the heartbreak and havoc a cheating man can wreak. She wants nothing more than to protect the University’s reputation by seeing to it that Greg’s stay at Irving is short.

The last thing either of them wants is the attraction they can’t deny. Can a struggling member of the basketball team bring them together to see how wonderful a second chance at life, and love, can be?

 

ABOUT JIM CANGANY

JimPhotoJim Cangany was forty pages into his first manuscript when he realized it was a romance. He went with it and has great joy writing sweet, contemporary love stories. A lover of things that go fast, when Jim’s not writing, you can probably find him checking into the latest from IndyCar or pro bike racing. He lives in Indianapolis with his saint of a wife Nancy, his sons Seamus and Aidan, and the princess of the house, kitty cat Maria.

Visit him: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or Tumbler

BUY NOW AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER!

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Interview with author Jim Cangany

25 Monday Jan 2016

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I’m not sure where to even begin with Jim. Whenever I’m on some sort of self-deprecating or woe is me roll, he “puts his dad hat on” and straightens me out. Mind you, we’re pretty much the same age, but it works every time. He’s the nicest person in the world and a great writer to boot. I’ve read a couple of his books (see my review) – you should do yourself a favor and pick one up. His newest, On The Rebound, will be out tomorrow.

Background Info

Author name: Jim Cangany

Book title: On The Rebound

FINAL_AMAZON-APPLE-EBOOK

Tell us a little about yourself and your background: My wife, Nancy, and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this May. We have two teen aged sons, Seamus and Aidan, and cat, Maria, who is the princess of the house. After years of dabbling in writing, I got serious in 2011 and had my first book published in 2013.

Tell us a little about your novel: On The Rebound is a sweet, sports romance set on the campus of fictional Irving University. It’s a story about second chances and features a women’s college basketball team. Here’s a teaser for you:

After he’s caught in a grade fixing scandal, men’s college basketball coach Greg Miller is thrown a lifeline when an old friend offers him a job with the small-school Irving University women’s team.

Academic Advisor Ciara Monaghan knows first-hand the heartbreak and havoc a cheating man can wreak. She wants nothing more than to protect the University’s reputation by seeing to it that Greg’s stay at Irving is short.

The last thing either of them wants is the attraction they can’t deny. Can a struggling member of the basketball team bring them together to see how wonderful a second chance at life, and love, can be?

Have you written anything else (including novels, short stories, novellas, etc.): I’m the author of The North Star Series (Fallen Star, Lucky Star, and Wish Upon a Star), a sweet contemporary trilogy that follows the adventures of Annie Wilson and E.J. McCarty.

On The Rebound is the first installment in the three-book Irving University Series. Take Two and Time Out are the next two books in the series.

I’ve also written a holiday-themed short story called The Christmas Angel.

Q & A

What romance books would you recommend to readers who will love your book: As a sweet, contemporary romance, I think fans of Kristan Higgins and Karen Rock, especially Karen’s A League of Her Own, would love On The Rebound.

How did you decide on the setting for your book: I’m a fan of women’s college basketball and don’t think it gets the publicity it deserves, so I wanted to write a story that gave women’s college hoops it’s due.

Do you have any writing rituals: I have a full-time day job, so I try to write at least 500 words per day. It kind of slow, but the progress is steady.

If you were writing a book about yourself, what would the title be: Well, given that my wife’s a breast cancer survivor, my older son attempted to take his life and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2013, and I’ve battled depression for years, probably something like Hold on Tight because life is never boring in the Cangany household.

What character was the most difficult to write and why: Ciara was probably the toughest to write. I wanted her to be no-nonsense, but she initially she came across as quite bitchy, so I had to “soften her up.”

What’s next for you: Take Two and Time Out will be out later this year. I’m just starting a sci-fi novel, which is a major departure from my contemporary romance. I grew up a sci-fi fan, so it should be fun.

Do you have any pointers or advice for aspiring writers: Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to write the stories in your head, those stories you want to write. As I was told once, the stories you love are the ones that sparkle.

Favorite song: “One” by U2. An incredible song that becomes more relevant every day.

Favorite movie/tv show: Movie- Field of Dreams; TV show – Star Trek, The Next Generation

Chosen superpower: Superspeed

Toilet paper: over or under: Over

Real book or tablet: Both

Star Trek or Star Wars: Trek

Excerpt

Greg turned to Ciara. She was practically glowing with pride and exhilaration. It was only fair since these were her girls, too.

Which gave him an idea.

“Thanks. Do you have a minute? I need to ask you something about tomorrow’s game.”

Marie looked at her watch. “Iron Man and I will give you five minutes. If you’re not back by then, the party train leaves the station without you.”

Ciara gave a quick nod and followed him into the basketball office. Rather than settling into one of the chairs, she leaned against a desk.

“I know Marie’s not kidding about five minutes, so I’ll cut to the chase. Would you say a few words to the team before the game tomorrow night?”

“Me? I’m just an academic advisor.” Her brow had creased. “What could I possibly have to say?”

He didn’t have much more time. Every word needed to count. “You’re in a unique position. After what happened to you ten years ago, you understand better than anybody on this campus that this moment won’t last. The players have to seize it and embrace it, but most of all, enjoy it. Because it could all be taken away in the blink of an eye.

“This is a huge game for this school. A win tomorrow night will make history. But there’s more to life than wins and losses. What matters most is taking the time to treasure those special moments and the special people who make them happen, because if we’re not careful, both the moments and the people are gone before we know it.”

Ciara ran a hand through her hair. It was all Greg could do to keep himself from reaching out to run his fingers through it too. Her lips curved downward as she glanced around the room in what seemed to be a concerted effort to avoid making eye contact.

She finally looked at him. “What do you mean by what happened to me ten years ago?”

“I know what happened during the conference championship game your senior year.” He shrugged. “When Sharon told me I’d be working with you, I researched you. The recruiter in me, I guess. To have that happen to you must have been one bitter-as-vinegar pill to swallow. Since you never brought it up, I never did. Didn’t think it was my place. But now—”

“Is this speech thing your idea?”

“Yes.” That part was true. “Coach Leonard’s totally on board with it.” That part was a big fat lie, but he’d figure out a way to talk Sharon into it.

There was a knock on the door.

“I know you need to go. Think it over and let me know tomorrow. Please?”

“Fine. But let me ask this, why should I do this for you?”

“I’m not asking you to do this for me. I’m asking you to do this for them. And for yourself.”

Author Bio

2014 author pic compressed

Jim Cangany was forty pages into his first manuscript when he realized it was a romance. He went with it and has great joy writing sweet, contemporary love stories. A lover of things that go fast, when Jim’s not writing, you can probably find him checking into the latest from IndyCar or pro bike racing. He lives in Indianapolis with his saint of a wife Nancy, his sons Seamus and Aidan, and the princess of the house, kitty cat Maria.

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Amazon

The Edge of Nowhere Launch Day!

19 Tuesday Jan 2016

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IN BOOKSTORES AND ONLINE TODAY!

FULL RESOLUTION EON

SYNOPSIS

The year is 1992 and Victoria Hastings Harrison Greene—reviled matriarch of a sprawling family—is dying.

After surviving the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Victoria refuses to leave this earth before revealing the secrets she’s carried for decades.

Once the child of a loving family during peaceful times, a shocking death shattered her life. Victoria came face to face with the harshness of the world. As the warm days of childhood receded to distant memory, Victoria learns to survive.

No matter what it takes.

To keep her family alive in an Oklahoma blighted by dust storms and poverty, Victoria makes choices—harsh ones, desperate ones. Ones that eventually made her into the woman her grandchildren fear and whisper about. Ones that kept them all alive. Hers is a tale of tragedy, love, murder, and above all, the conviction to never stop fighting.

OFFICIAL VIDEO TRAILER FOR THE EDGE OF NOWHERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKRsh85aWDQ

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

bloggingC.H. Armstrong is an Oklahoma native transplanted in Minnesota. A 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, “Cathie”is a life-long lover of books, and staunchly outspoken on subject of banned and challenged books. The Edge of Nowhere is her first novel and was inspired by her own family’s experiences during the 1930s Oklahoma Dust Bowl and The Great Depression.

PURCHASE A COPY OF THE EDGE OF NOWHERE ONLINE NOW

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