by Sarah | Apr 4, 2013 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Writing
I’m always happy when authors pay a return visit to tout another of their books. Today is no exception as Sherry Gloag stops by to interview the Hero and Heroine of her novel Vidal’s Honor. Please give them a warm welcome today.
*~*
Author to heroine: What drove you to tell your story?
Honor, Lady Beaumont: Because when a woman followed the drum in 1812 most people assumed the worst about her morals. And, *she sighs* while that aspect can’t be denied. I wanted to show it didn’t apply to all women.
Author to hero: What would you like to say to the people who accused you of being glad when your best friend died and it gave you another chance to woo his widow?
Charles Vidal: At first I don’t think it penetrated my grief at losing someone who meant the world to me. When Lord Dundass ordered me to bring her home to England I didn’t want to go and at the same time I couldn’t wait to see her again.
Author to heroine: How did you feel when you realised what your brother-in-law was plotting?
Honor, Lady Beaumont: Bewildered, disbelief, followed by anger and betrayal and then the fear when I realised the full implications of his intent.
Author to hero: And you, how did you feel when you were told of the plot?
Charles Vidal: *leans forward, fists on knees* I swear if I hadn’t had to leave for Gibraltar immediately I would have hunted the scoundrel down and dispatched him.
Author to heroine: Did you ever doubt you would survive your journey across the Pyrenees?
Honor: *shudders, inhales a deep breath and nods* On more than one occasion. Especially when and just after the land slip.
Author to hero: Did you know what Lord Dundass planned for you both at Lord Kringle’s Ball
Charles Vidal: *Relaxes and grins* Not at all. But I loved the way he publically routed the guilty parties and cleared Honor’s name. *He clasps Honor’s hand and rises.* It’s been good to see you again, but Honor needs her rest, *Charles shares a secret smile with Honor then extends an arm to help Honor to her feet.*
Author to both: before you leave, will you tell me whether you are still in contact with your rescuers and guides, Juan and Consuela?
*Honor leans into Charles as he wraps his arm around her waist.* We are and always will be. It grieves me and Consuela that Juan chose return to Spain. But we all pray for his safe return.
Author: My Lord, do you feel the same?
Charles Vidal: While I understand Honor and Consuela’s feelings, I also understand that Juan has unfinished business; and it is a matter of family honour and national integrity that has taken him back to his homeland. I, too, pray for his safe and speedy return.
Author: Thank you both for taking time out of your busy schedules to talk with me today. May I offer my congratulations and best wishes for the future?
*She sighs as she watches her heroine and hero leave, knowing they’ve already forgotten her existence.*
*~*
[amazon_link id=”B009ZUXCOC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | Amazon UK | Smashwords | B&N | Bookstrand | Kobo | All Romance Ebooks
BLURB:
Which will Honor lose first? Her head or her heart?
When plunged into a world of spies, agents and espionage during the Peninsula wars, Honor, Lady Beaumont, flees for her life when the French capture her husband at Salamanca, and relies on his batman to arrange her safe passage back to England.
Viscount Charles Vidal is ordered by Robert Dumas, the First Lord of the Admiralty, to travel to Spain and escort the only woman he’s ever loved, Lord Devlin Beaumont’s widow back home before the French discover her whereabouts.
Their journey is fraught by danger, least of all knowing whether they are surrounded by friends or foe. Will they survive long enough to explore the possibility of a future together or will whispers of treason be enough to see Honor dispatched to Tyburn first?
*~*
Excerpt:
While Vidal joked with his cousin, the viscount scanned the room. The smell of fine wine, whiskey and cigar smoke blended into a rich aroma that was as much a part of Whites as the card games, the background chatter, and outbreaks of lewd laughter from the younger members of the club.
One member in particular interested Vidal tonight, and he watched Robert Dundas, second Viscount Melville, and First Lord of the Admiralty, take leave of his friends and head in his direction.
He wondered why the man spent the best part of the night watching his every move, and paused in the act of fobbing his snuff box while he waited for the viscount to join him.
“Take a walk with me?” Although couched as a question, Vidal noted the quiet steel of command in the other man’s voice. Dundas laid a hand on his arm; a companionable gesture for anyone interested enough to observe the two men leaving the club together. “I believe I live not far beyond your own house. I’d appreciate your company, and this is not the place for such a discussion. ”
With an indolent twist of the wrist Vidal returned the modish lacquered box, unopened, to his pocket and nodded agreement. A man’s club was no setting for private conversation, and it was plain the man wanted to talk about something away from flapping ears.
Together they strolled across the room stopping to take leave of several mutual friends.
*~*
Multi-published author, Sherry Gloag is a transplanted Scot now living in the beautiful coastal countryside of Norfolk, England. She considers the surrounding countryside as extension of her own garden, to which she escapes when she needs “thinking time” and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel. While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there are no other walkers close by.
Apart from writing, Sherry enjoys gardening, walking, reading and cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office. She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic.
by Sarah | Apr 3, 2013 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Writing
I’m happy to have J.L. Hammer back on the blog with her latest release, [amazon_link id=”B00BLPYO3M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blue Horizon[/amazon_link]. Today she introduced me to her hero Beckham Connors, and allowed me to interview him. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with the prospect…he’s usually on the other end of the questions, but still he obliged and I thank him heartily for that.
*~*
1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to your author’s attention? Occupation?
My name is Beckham Connors. I’m a freelance mercenary. I take care of problems the government doesn’t want you to know about.
2. What or who is the greatest love of your life? Why? What drew you to them?
(He shifts in his seat.) This is a girlie question. I’m a guy. Okay, Elena gets my blood pumping. She’s special—we understand each other. And yeah, I love her.
3. What’s your greatest fear?
This interview. I’m usually the one asking the questions.
4. What’s your motto in life?
Always have a plan A, plan B, plan C, and the Shit Happens Plan—which means when the shit hits the fan, run—and hope you’re quicker, smarter, and bulletproof.
5. How do the other characters in your book view you?
At first, Elena stared at me like I was hell incarnate. After a while she let her guard down. And when I kissed her, she melted in my hands.
6. What is it about you that is going to draw us readers in?
Blue Horizon is all about danger and secrets. It revolves around a government project that could cause mass destruction and terrorists who will do anything to get their hands on it. I have orders to rescue Elena from her captors, or if necessary—kill her. Whatever happens, she cannot be left alive on Iranian soil. This is the most difficult decision of my life.
8. What was your happiest moment?
(He smirks.) Any moment I’m not riddled with bullets and I can inhale a breath.
10. The random question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?
Black. I’ll be a shadow and you won’t know what hit you until it’s over.
*~*~*~*
[amazon_link id=”B00BLPYO3M” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] | Barnes & Noble
Book Blurb
Part of a secret government project, Elena Davidson’s life is in serious jeopardy when she is kidnapped by terrorists. Safeguarding ‘Blue Horizon’ isn’t just a mission to Elena. She knows that if its purpose is revealed and if it falls into the wrong hands, it could be dangerous for the entire world.
Beckham Connors has a simple mission: the retrieval of Elena Davidson, no matter what the cost. He has orders to rescue Elena from her captors and to send her home to America, or if necessary—kill her. Whatever happens, she cannot be left alive on Iranian soil.
Forced into a whirlwind adventure, she can depend on no one. Elena must decide if she can trust the ruggedly handsome Beckham—or if he poses a greater danger than the terrorists.
Excerpt
She watched him as he secured the new bandage. Until that moment, Elena hadn’t realized how close he sat next to her on the bed. His thigh brushed against hers. Elena lifted her head, and their gazes locked. She found herself becoming lost in his brown eyes. This hard man fought to be unfeeling, but she knew he wasn’t. Beckham had needs, just like her—to be touched, loved, and wanted.
His hand reached out to her cheek, and the roughness of his fingers met the softness of her skin. Elena’s breathing quickened as his fingers lowered to the curve of her neck. Her flesh tingled. Shivers of warmth bolted through her body. The same desire she felt reflected in his heated gaze. His chest rose with the rapid intake of his breaths. It felt as if the pull of a magnet drew them together as time slipped away. Elena braced herself for the kiss that was sure to come. She should have been afraid; Beckham could overpower her and she wouldn’t stand a chance, but fear was the last thing on her mind.
His fingers encircled the back of her neck, and he tugged her lips to his. Sparks ignited, lighting the backs of her closed eyelids. Without hesitation, their tongues explored. Her body demanded more of the sensual, intoxicating kiss. Elena’s heart raced. Grasping his broad shoulders, she felt his solid weight above her, pressing her firmly against the bed. Her breasts molded against his muscular chest. Beckham smelled so good, like earth and man.
“You’re so beautiful…so damn soft and sweet.” The heat from his husky words sent a shiver of excitement across her skin. She willed him to devour her. Elena had been so lost and alone that being held securely in his arms felt good and right. She could tell Beckham needed her just as much as she needed him.
The whiskers from his strong jaw rubbed against her skin, sending a ripple of painful pleasure through her. She moaned. With one hand she tugged at his shirt so she could touch his bare skin. Beckham caressed her breast. Even through the cloth she could feel the heat from his touch. She bit her lower lip to stop the cry from escaping. Scattered thoughts raced through her mind. She should be stopping this. She should be outraged that he dare touch her. The voice of reason pleaded with her to remember who she was and what he was, but she told it to shut up. She threaded her fingers through the length of his brown hair, bringing him even closer, needing to feel his lips once again on hers.
The sudden pounding on the door echoed throughout the room. Before the noise even registered in her mind, Beckham had leaped to his feet and was standing beside the bed. He took a second to slow his breathing and then cracked open the door. Mumbled words were exchanged. Elena strained to make them out. Apparently Beckham understood, since he opened the door a bit farther.
“Okay, be right there.” He glanced back at her. His wrinkled shirt was half unbuttoned, his hair disheveled. Beckham looked as if he’d almost been devoured. Had she done that to him?
His heated gaze raked over Elena as she lay sprawled on the bed. “Damn—I’m going to kill him.” After uttering those words, he smashed the turban back on his head, went out, and shut the door behind him.
About the Author
J.L. Hammer resides in California and enjoys the relaxed pace of small-town life with her husband and two children. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. Visit her website at www.JL-Hammer.com
by Sarah | Apr 3, 2013 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Books, Bucket List, Changing Tracks, I'm A Writer
There were so many things I could have done for C.
Cystic Fibrosis, Colors, Cannonball, Canada…
But I chose [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link].
Of course I’m a little biased. Changing Tracks is my first published novel. It’s the first in a series, and the characters just make me giddy with happiness on a regular basis.
It was another check off the bucket list when this one came out on February 8th.
I’ve been blessed to have friends read it (and communicate back to me their thoughts WHILE reading, which was hilariously fun)…and strangers alike.
In several months the next book in the series will be out, and I’ll get to keep telling Jane Doe’s story…all while continuing to find new characters and stories to write in the background.
I’ve got a great job…and Changing Tracks helped make it officially a job. 🙂
Blurb:
There’s nothing simple about forgetting your past.
Cole Mitchell runs the busiest saloon and brothel in Dominion Falls. He keeps his women at a distance, unwilling to relive a past he worked hard to forget.
Until the night Jane Doe falls into his saloon bleeding and near death. She wakes with no memory, only the firm belief someone tried to kill her. In the strange world of amnesia she manages to find solace in Cole’s arms and he finds home in hers.
While they work together to solve the mystery of her appearance, their pasts – her lack of, and his buried – build a barrier between them.
To make matters worse, Jane’s past isn’t willing to let her go. A stranger proves he’ll kill to keep his secrets safe. With those she loves in danger, Jane’s errant memory is all that stands between them and death. Cole can only do so much to protect her, will it be enough?
Buy Links:
Secret Cravings Website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand
*~*~*
The A-Z Challenge has over 1900 participants, all blogging from A to Z this month. Check them out and see if you can’t find a few new favorites!!
by Sarah | Apr 2, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Hump Day Hook, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, Writing
Another Hump Day Hook!
So [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks[/amazon_link] has been out almost two months and Masked Hearts, is due out any time now (this month!!).
In the background I’ve been working on some other things. I have a holiday WIP that’s maybe 1/3 done (or more, since I don’t know the length, I’m not sure. lol)…I have a couple of horror shorts that I’m working out the details for.
But beyond that I’ve been doing work on the sequel to Changing Tracks, which is called Derailed. While it’s not due out until July, I have turned in my manuscript to my editor (who also worked on CT, and I love her 🙂 )…and shockingly enough, I managed to design, submit, and get approval for the cover art. I can’t tell you how squealingly happy I am that my art got approved again and I’m SUPER excited to show it off…but for once in my life i’m practicing patience. I’m going to do a slow reveal once the Masked Hearts publishing push is over. 😀 There may just be a prize involved in it.
~deep breath~ So after all of that, are you still with me? Today I’m going to go back to Changing Tracks and give you another snippet…as I’m still waiting on my galley of MH and I’m not sure I’m ready to show of my WIP yet…
In this hook, Jane is going head to head with the town’s richest man. She pissed him off recently at a horse auction, and he retaliated with a dastardly deed. This is her response to his affront:
“Sorry? Is this a real apology?”
“Of course. I am deeply sorry you haven’t got the sense of humor God gave much simpler men. That you take more pleasure in the size of your home than your heart. That you haven’t the faintest idea how to keep a friend, much less a woman. I may have the reputation of a jezebel, but I will never die as alone as you.”
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
by Sarah | Apr 1, 2013 | Book Release, Guest Authors, Writing
I’m so excited to have Jennifer Simpkins stop by again! Today is release day for the second book in her series, Loving Patience. I just started book 1 (Forgiving Patience), and already have Loving Patience on my list for ‘must buys’ when I stock up again next month.
*~*
Blurb for Loving Patience, Book 2 in the Patience Series:
Liza Dyer has spent her career counseling and guiding her patients towards a more fulfilling life, so it’s a shock when she can’t stop her own life from falling apart. After a cheating ex she decides to escape to Patience, Tennessee. Instead of confiding in her long-time friend, she finds herself revealing her painful secrets to sexy, ladies’ man Tex Avery.
Tex is a confirmed bachelor every woman in Patience is trying to catch. He is the last thing Liza needs, but once again she can’t help herself—especially when he shows up at her hotel door looking depleted and leaving her breathless. It’s in her nature to want to help with the emotional pain Tex is going through, but her counseling is not welcomed. Liza is determined to not give up on him…but will their connection be enough to convince her to once again put her heart on the line.
Excerpt:
It was over way too quickly. Tex took a step back while she gulped oxygen and tried not to fumble her next words. While his kissing was pretty hot, much like the rest of him, she couldn’t let him off too easy. She had a reputation to uphold and no man—hunk or otherwise—got by with planting one on her without permission.
“What was that?” Okay, maybe that came out a little breathy and not all tough like she wanted.
“Don’t tell me a woman like you has to ask that question.”
“Don’t be smart. I mean, why did you do it? Why did you kiss me?”
Yay—relieved that she actually sounded fairly composed and not someone who would be considered drunk by any law enforcement.
“Besides you being the best damn thing I’ve seen in Patience in a long time, I did it because you looked like you needed me up close and personal to know I’m not drunk. So while I would love to stand out here and argue with you, I have someplace I need to be.”
It was none of her business where he was headed this late at night. Even though he’d just invaded her mouth, he didn’t owe her an explanation of who he was going to see or why he was going to see them. “Well, since I didn’t bite your tongue when I had good reason to, you can tell me a little bit more about yourself.”
He crossed his arms and didn’t try to hide that he found her more amusing than annoying, which was the complete opposite expression she got from most people she met. She was a very capable woman, and while most men found her attractive, they didn’t find her cute and amusing by any means. Most men expected her to look pretty and say all the right things, but where was the fun in that? She did things her way and maybe that was why she was still single.
“Okay, Liza, here’s the rundown. I run my own business, I drive a Ford because…well my first truck was a Ford, and once you start with a Ford you can never go back. It just goes against everything southern. I love my mama and I’m single, so don’t go thinking you’re going to have some crazy wife or girlfriend stalking you because we kissed or because I gave you a ride to the hotel.”
“Why is it I think you just described every other man in Patience? What’s your last name?”
“My last name is Avery, why?”
“Because that is something personal, not so generic, and I have a feeling you are the only Tex Avery in town.”
“So does that mean you trust me?”
“That means you can drive me to the hotel. Don’t confuse that with trust. I just think you can probably get me there a lot safer than I can. Men are very untrustworthy.”
“Says who?”
“History, that’s who. Brad cheated on Jen, Bill did it to Hillary, and Leroy Anderson kissed my ex-best friend when I was in sixth grade.”
“I’m surprised a boy named Leroy could get even one girl, let alone two,” he laughed. He pulled his keys out of his front jean pocket and twirled them around his finger.
Tex guided her to none other than a soft gray, 4-door Ford truck. “I thought when I heard my granddaddy talk like it was a sin because another man drove a different make of vehicle it was just that…talk. But you are serious?”
“Absolutely. People around here take that kind of offense seriously. Believe me, you don’t ever want caught even thinking of switching sides,” he commented, opening her door and waiting for her to climb in.
Because she wasn’t completely drunk, she climbed inside with minimal help from Tex. He touched the small of her back to make sure she didn’t slip, and a hum shot all the way to her core. She didn’t even want to think of the ways her body would respond if he touched bare skin. After he closed her inside, she took a steady breath. The more air she inhaled, the more her body reacted to him and the scent his cologne left lingering inside the truck.
He slid in behind the steering wheel and brought his truck to life. It was loud and big—and very sexy. It was a real man’s vehicle, not like the compact car Greg poked around in.
“So why are you here…in Patience, I mean?”
“To be honest…a cheating asshole and a best friend.”
* * * *
Connect with Jennifer:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest
by Sarah | Mar 31, 2013 | Books, Challenge, Hybrid, Tuesday Tales, Writing
The prompt this week was Funny. Of course, considering the MC’s in this piece are in the midst of a dramatic reveal…Funny was an interesting challenge to fit in, but I did it 😉
Remember, this is a meme with many contributing authors, so make sure to click the link at the bottom of the image to take you to see more!
Anyhow, as always this is un-edited mostly, so forgive any errors. :
“This had better not be a joke. Because if it is, it’s not in the least bit funny.” Hot prickles of anger rushed up my chest to my cheeks. If my face wasn’t red before, it sure was now. “Tell me the truth, Father. What happened?”
“As the last natural born dragon, you already know the answer to that.” Jdyn sat on the ground near my feet. Fingers twined together, he flipped his hands and stretched his back, his entire form growing several inches with the action. More scales began to appear beneath his thinning human flesh.
“But I’m not dragon. Not entirely.”
“No. You’re unique.”
“You mean I was.”
“You still are.” He frowned. “They didn’t clone you. You are still the only natural born of your kind, you are still the only one just like you. For the others they…”
“What, father?”
His nose twitched, his lip curled. “Understand that I am paraphrasing, Jyoti. As Laewyn put it – they perfected the mix with the help of you. Griffin blood only helped make it all hold together, as a natural hybrid itself.”
My stomach churned and I wrinkled my nose. “Laewyn always had the greatest contempt for what I am. For what you created with the help of my weak mother.”
“You mother lay with dragons. She was far from weak.”
I joined his chuckle and dropped next to him with a heavy sigh. “And this is why Alatus fights now. How he has gathered so many close. The hybrids can’t properly transform. How old is the oldest?”
“Two hundred years.”
“When a dragon doesn’t return to form for that long, it looks suspicious. I would say I’m surprised Alatus hadn’t noticed sooner, but he as always rather self-centered.” I studied the lines on my hand. “So he has raised the ire of the masses. For the flock of hybrids you brought to our people.”
“I believe all will see in time that there was no choice. It was this, or we die off completely. The last born true dragon is almost a thousand years old now.” He sighed, a hand that now revealed claws folded over hers. “I wanted our race to live. Even if it meant by carrying on our line through hybrids. Many agreed, they were the sires.”
“Kryztalia sheltered them, didn’t they?”
“Not all of them. But it was a better location to live. The weather and land was more vibrant and green than most of our other cities. At the time of the attack, there were five hybrids restoring their energy there.”
I curled my hand over his. “Alatus will attack the Terran plane, because that it where most of the hybrids live and thrive.”
“Yes.”
*~*
Hope you enjoyed it! Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!
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