Cover Reveal: Islan's Inheritance by Cassandra Page

Drum roll please......

Isla’s Inheritance by Cassandra Page

Genre: Young adult urban fantasy

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press

Release date: 9 October 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

Isla was content to let her father keep his secrets, but now she can’t stand the touch of iron and her dreams are developing a life of their own. She must discover the truth — before it’s too late.

Seventeen-year-old Isla Blackman only agrees to participate in a Halloween party séance because Dominic, an old crush, wants to. She is sure nothing will happen when they try to contact the spirit of her mother. But the séance receives a chilling reply.

SHE IS NOT DEAD.

Isla doesn’t want to upset her father by prying into the family history he never discusses. When the mysterious and unearthly Jack offers to help her discover the truth, Isla must master her new abilities to protect her loved ones from enemies she never knew existed.

Goodreads page

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner's choice) 

Cassandra Page is a mother, author, editor and geek. She lives in Canberra, Australia’s bush capital, with her son and two Cairn Terriers. She has a serious coffee addiction and a tattoo of a cat — which is ironic, as she’s allergic to cats. When she’s not reading or writing, she engages in geekery, from Doctor Who to AD&D. Because who said you need to grow up?

Author links

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads

Sweet but Sexy to me...

I’ve been married, to the same man for 14 1/2 years and we have 3 great, but active, children. He works full-time and I work from home part-time as well as write when time allows. As you can imagine, I usually fall into bed or crash on the couch after a long day. Yet, there is a dinner that needs to be made and dishes to be washed and probably clothes that need folding. And don’t get me started on the bathrooms!

Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and would battle a bear for them, but I hate all of these chores...with a passion. I don’t mind cooking the food and washing the clothes, it’s the follow through I can’t stand.

So to this working housewife, nothing is sweeter than when my husband handles it all. When he’s washing dishes, all soapy and hot, ain’t nothing sexier than a man taking care of his family and his wife’s needs. 

Sure, I’d love a foot rub, but iron the clothes and I’ll purr like a kitten. Scratch my back or filling me with chocolate doesn’t make my motor run like watching him vacuum. Don’t buy me flowers because I’d rather watch you bent over the tub working the grout clean.

If there are any men reading this blog, which you all should, take my advice. Flowers and candies will only work so much. You want to flip your lady’s switch, get your hands wet and start scrubbing!

To find out what else can be sweet and sexy, grab a $.99 copy of the Sweet But Sexy boxed set, available at all e-book retailers.

My Brother’s Wedding

Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home to attend her brother’s wedding. Bombarded with memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, her reason for leaving and forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining a fake romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and Allison struggles to remember what’s real.

Excerpt:

“Adam, this is George Fitzepatrick. He’s my…”

 “Boyfriend.” George stepped forward and thrust his hand in Adam’s direction.

Adam looked back at Allison’s guilty smile. “A boyfriend? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

“Yeah,” Allison replied, fighting to find better words. She stepped back from her brother’s hold, feeling his arm fall from her shoulders. “Surprise. Your sister is dating someone.” She shrugged hoping he’d interrogate her later.

“Since we work together, we’ve kept our relationship a secret. Although, now that we’ve both taken off at the same time, I’m sure everyone will know,” George offered.

Allison was grateful for George’s quick words. She hadn’t rehearsed her part well. In fact, she arrived in St. Louis unprepared for any sort of questioning about her relationship with George. Rooky move on her part. Her mother listed off questions when she called a few weeks prior to announce her plus one. Then, Allison offered simple, short answers not giving up many details. She’d hoped her mother relayed her answers to Adam. Obviously not.

Adam released George’s hand and looked back over his shoulder at his sister. Allison swore his eyes reflected hurt. She couldn’t risk telling Adam the truth. She needed to get through the week and George, her pretend boyfriend, was the only way. Once she was safely sitting in her lonely apartment in Chicago, she’d confess to her brother. She’d tell him how George was her only friend in Chicago. That her long hours at work kept her out of the dating scene and the highlight of her day was sharing lunch with a hot guy who couldn’t careless how she looked naked. She’d also add how George preferred, rather insisted, on dating men.

Mrs. Daughtry shook her towel at the small group forming in her kitchen. “You three go sit down and I will make you a plate.” Her mother moved to the stove and stopped. “Where’s Sarah? I’m sure she’s hungry, too.”

“She got dragged into the dining room by Crazy Aunt Phyliss. Something about wedding hair or I don’t know. Girl stuff.”

“You just left her alone with those people.” Allison stared at her brother in disbelief and concern.

“Excuse me,” their mother interrupted. “Those people are family.”

“Yes, Mom, but they’re crazy.” Allison turned back to her brother. “You have to save her.”

Adam waived at his sister. “Nah. She’s tough. Plus, she likes them all, for some reason.”

Allison gagged. “Maybe you should get her checked out. She’s sounds like she’s getting a little nutty. You don’t want to have babies with a nut job.”

“That’s enough you two. Now,” Mrs. Daughtry grabbed her son’s arm and pulled him toward the small kitchen table. “Sit, eat and I’ll bring Sarah a plate.” Their mom slid plates in front of Allison and George loaded with steaming beef, potatoes and carrots. “There’s plenty on the stove.”

“Yes mom,” they both offered. Adam hunched over his plate with both elbows rested at his side. Allison snuck a peek at George and watched him push the food around with his fork. His usual lunch consisted of a diet soda, salad or a piece of fruit. In fact, her lunch had consisted of mainly the same due to the limited funds and lack of time to eat. George caught her watching, smiled and shoved a piece of roast in his mouth.

After fifteen minutes of being hunched over a plate, Adam sat back, rubbed his belly and grunted in approval. “Mmm. Good.”

“What’s good?” A new voice asked from the kitchen door.

Almost in slow motion, Allison turned her head, sending her ponytail flying. Her eyes began their feast. Dark jeans sat low on a slim waste followed by a pale blue button-up shirt with a v of a white T-shirt winking at her. His teeth almost shined like a prince in a cartoon with a sparkle from the track lighting fixture dancing in his dark eyes. A hand ran through the slight curl in his brown hair, tousling the locks before they fell against his temples.

A gasp escaped her lips.

Ryan Johnson.

Pre-sale: Small Town Charm, Love & Mystery

Do you have $.99 to spare? Of course you do. Well, for less than a buck, you can get 8 books by 8 amazing authors.

Now available at Amazon for $.99!

Meet Ryan Johnson from My Brother's Wedding

I'm on a roll and thought you needed more than just coffee to wake you up this morning! Enjoy!.

Like what you see? You can get more of Ryan in My Brother's Wedding offered now in the #SweetButSexy boxed set for only $.99!

Meet Michael from Ice Princess

In honor of a new boxed set I'm in releasing shortly, I was feeling creative. What do you think?

I'm pretty happy with him...I meant it! 

8 Authors 2 Weeks!

 I'm beyond thrilled to have Janet Eaves on the blog today and even more silly girl happy that I'm in a boxed set with this awesome writer!

Take it away, Janet!

Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your blog! I’m very excited to be a part of the SWEET, but SEXY Boxed Set, published through Turquoise Morning Press.

It is always thrilling to work with other authors on a project, so I am so delighted to team up with Maddie James, Jennifer Johnson, Constance Phillips, Jennifer Anderson, Amie Denman, Magdalena Scott, and Jan Scarbrough to be a part of his sweet collection of romance novels.

My contribution, CROSSROADS, (a Ladies of Legend series novella) is about a young woman who faced many trials and tribulations in her young life. Raised by the town whore, Sharon Clark made some pretty bad choices of her own, but, by example, a mentor gave her hope for a better life outside of the quaint little town of Legend, Tennessee.

Unfortunately, Sharon went from the frying pan into the fire by quickly marrying a man who had his own agenda in taking her and her unborn child in. Even after giving it her best, she now finds herself once again in need of a change. Destitute and at a crossroads, Sharon reluctantly accepts the inheritance gift of a home from the now deceased mentor, and returns to Legend to search for a job to sustain her and her son until she can figure out what to do next. But once there, she must once again face the realities of her past, and decide if the wonderful man who hired her, is worth risking her heart… all over again.

“A single mother returns to a small Tennessee town in this Ladies of Legend novella. Despite the length constraints, Eaves crafts believable settings and characters. Not only is this a quick read, but it works successfully as a stand-alone story.”    Karen Sweeny-Justice,  RT Book Reviews (September 2014 edition)

Excerpt:

8:00 a.m. Courtroom 204, Memphis Municipal Court

“As to the matter of spousal support, the petitioner’s request is denied. Ms. Gilbert, given your statement that you have been the one to maintain the family income without expectation of support from Mr. Gilbert during the course of the marriage, it is the determination of this court that spousal support is unwarranted.

“As to the matter of child support, the petitioner’s request is warranted and therefore granted. Even though you state, Mr. Gilbert, that the minor, Kyle Gilbert, is not your biological child, he was born while you and Mrs. Gilbert were legally married and you have represented yourself as his father since. Therefore it is the determination of this court that you will pay child support at the standard percentage rate until midnight the date before the child turns eighteen years of age. Have proof of your income to my clerk this afternoon at the latest.”

The judge turned to his bailiff. ”Who’s next?”

****

10:30 a.m. The Cock and Crow Sports Bar and Grill

“I’m sorry, Sharon, you’ve been great, and dependable, and I’ll be happy to write you a letter of recommendation, but I have no choice. We aren’t making enough to stay open. I’m really sorry but you’re out of a job just like the rest of us.”

****

2:10 p.m. 2120 Pricilla Street, Apartment 310

“Look, I’m sorry, but your husband signed the letter of Intent to Vacate a month ago. I’ve already rented the apartment. You have to be out by the end of the month. I know that’s only a couple of days away and I’m sorry about that too, but it’s done. I assumed you knew Mr. Gilbert released the apartment.”

****

"What's that?"

Sharon looked at the envelope she still held out in front of her and shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's from a lady I knew a long time ago."

For the first time since entering the apartment he actually looked at her. "Are you going to open it?"

Sharon stared at him helplessly before she nodded and quickly slid her finger under the sealed flap then winced when it sliced her fingertip. She stuck it between her lips for only a second before opening the flap.

"It's a letter," she said, shaking out the single page with one hand while returning the burning finger to her mouth.

"Duh!"

Sharon silently counted to ten then focused on the letter with the staple in the upper left hand corner that held a business card against the letter’s back. Ms. Addie's large script had always made her think the woman sang songs in her head while writing.

"What's it say?"

Sharon glanced up without moving her head. Given his attitude she wanted to tell him it wasn't addressed to him, but since he rarely if ever expressed interest in anything she decided to read it out loud.

“My Dearest Sharon,

It has been such a long time since I last laid eyes on you, but I am sure you are as beautiful now as you were all those years ago. I, on the other hand, have dwindled with age and heart illness these last few years."

Sharon's eyes filled, remembering how robust and healthy Ms. Addie was the last time she'd seen her. She cleared her throat and continued, "But God has blessed me with a very long and fruitful life and blessed me with more than I deserved by the people He brought into my life. You were most definitely one of His greatest blessings, as well as mine."

Warmth surrounded Sharon as if Ms. Addie's arms were encircling her. Hugs were something Ms. Addie had always had in abundance, and she was the only person in Sharon's young life who ever bothered to make her feel worthy.

She sniffed and continued reading. "I'm writing you this letter today because I may not be able to tomorrow. I grow weaker by the day and know the Good Lord is about to call me home. I'm ready. Although many of the children who came to live with me for a period of time thought I lived in a mansion, I know the one waiting for me will make this place look like a shack in comparison.

My poor grand-nephew will inherit this monstrosity as long as he's willing to take care of my cats, (He'll be so mad to learn that! Ha!) but I have other properties to disperse as well, and I have a special one just for you."

Sharon was torn between amusement at Ms. Addie's wicked sense of humor and the heart thumping anticipation of what was to come. She glanced up at Kyle, seeing he too was intrigued with the missive. She cleared her throat again, more loudly this time.

"There is a little cabin up on the mountain overlooking Legend Lake my husband took me to the night we were married. At the time it was owned by someone else, and we just rented it for that one night. But years later my love bought it for me as an anniversary present, and though it has stood empty all these many years, I made sure it was well tended and properly maintained. The appliances are old but functional. The plumbing recently updated. But it is yours, dear. Free and clear. To do with as you will.

I know you couldn't get away from Legend fast enough all those years ago, and understandably so, but I also know the heart sometimes leads us back home. If you don't want it, sell it. But if you do, you know you will always have a home to come back to. You can contact my lawyer at your convenience. His card is attached.

I know you are going to wonder why so many years have passed between my getting to meet my Maker and you receiving this gift. That, my dear, is because I know you. And I know you are not yet ready to consider coming back to Legend.

I'm tired now, and my hand grows weak, but I want to tell you one more thing. Whatever life brings, grab the good stuff and let the other stuff go. Even as many years as I have been given, it really was all over in just a blink of the eye.

Be well, my lovely. Be well.

Addie"

Sharon didn't realize she was crying until Kyle's arms were suddenly around her. She inhaled the scent of him and, for the first time in a very long time, remembered she was loved.

Amazon Best Selling Author of the Ladies of Legend series and Unforgettable Heroes boxed set, Janet Eaves is a wife of more than three and a half decades, a mother of two, a grandmother of one (unless you count her grand-pup – then two). She lives in the beautiful Tennessee countryside where she watches deer, rabbits, and other wildlife from her gazebo office while spinning tales. Currently, Janet has seven Ladies of Legend stories out, and is sure more will come in the future, as well as other books she’s written off and on over the years. CROSSROADS is her newest release, and she was happy to include it in this boxed set.

8 Authors in 2 Weeks

A good author should always read. ALWAYS. All the big ones do it and while I hardly have time to take a shower, I do try to make time to read. And I've read Double Dog Dare by Jennifer Johnson. Loved it! Funny! Sweet! I could gush all day but I'll let Jennifer have chance to speak.

Hello, I’m Jennifer Johnson, and I’m excited my book Double Dog Dare is part of the Sweet, But Sexy boxed set.

Double Dog Dare came about from a game I like to play called “What If.” I’d heard a song about a woman who wakes up next to a man she doesn’t know because she drank too much the night before. Although it was a catchy tune, good girl me, thought, Wow! That’s something I’d never do. But then I thought what if a good girl like me did wake up in a hotel room next to some guy she didn’t know? How could that possibly happen?

Hence the story of Double Dog Dare.

Each chapter begins with a quotation from a famous children’s book. And Cheris, the heroine, spouts lines from old movies when she gets nervous. Geoff, the hero, grew up a child prodigy and now spends most of his nights stargazing, that is, until he meets Cheris.

This is a story about the healing redemption of love, even love at first sight.

Romancing the Book rated it 5 stars: “Double Dog Dare is a charming read filled with memorable characters, lots of laughs, and tons of fun.”

Romancing the Books says, “Double Dog Dare is a sweet and funny contemporary story. I enjoyed it very much and had many opportunities to smile and laugh. If you love a heartwarming story about falling in love, Then I dare you — double dog dare you even, to get yourself a copy of this great book.”

Who is Jennifer Johnson?

I am a writer.
I write contemporary romantic fiction.
I aspire to be Wonder Woman with the awesome leotard and the criminal-fighting boots on some days.
On other days, I am Wonder Woman with my lasso of Truth and my no-nonsense-pursuit of justice.
I live in the South across the river from the Mid-west. I'm married to Super Man with a Tony Stark mind. We have Wonder/Super children and a bionic dog. All in all, it's a comic book kind of life.

Find me at www.booksbyjenniferjohnson.com

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferjohnson.author

https://twitter.com/BooksbyJennifer

8 Authors in 2 Weeks!

Jan Scarbrough has a long list of books under her belt and I'm honored to work with her in the Sweet But Sexy boxed set. Her story, Secrets, is one of 8 stories available in the $.99 set.

How was she going to keep her secret? It had been with her like a living thing for twenty-one years.

I’m glad Secrets is included in the Turquoise Morning Press Sweet But Sexy boxed set along with stories from other fine TMP authors. The book was special to me, because as I wrote it, I reflected on my teen and young adult relationship with my mother. We were friends at her passing, but not without changes on both our parts.

A “sweet” romance, Secrets is a book my mother would have liked. In fact, she told all her blue-haired lady friends that the “editor” wrote the love scene in my first romance. And it was really tame!

Seneca Park
Louisville, Kentucky

 “Kelly, will you marry me?”

Heat swept Kelly Baron’s face, and it had nothing to do with the warm June day. Choking back dismay, she stared at the kneeling man at her feet. “For goodness sakes, Thomas, stand up.”

Thomas struggled to his feet and sat down beside her on the park bench. His normally flushed face was peppered with sweat, and he had an expectant look in his eyes. “I’m serious,” he said, fumbling in his pocket and withdrawing a small, black velvet box. “Dead serious.” He lifted the lid.

Secured inside the box was a spectacular princess-cut diamond solitaire set in a white gold, cathedral setting. Kelly was somewhat of an expert about diamond engagement rings because of her daughter’s recent wedding, but she never expected Thomas Dunlap to offer her one, let alone one that looked to be the size of a carat.

Kelly focused on the beautiful ring, avoiding the conflicting emotions whirling in her head and the warning bells ringing in her ears.

Her usually reticent suitor became assertive and removed the ring from its box. “Here. Try it on.”

Before Kelly could demur, Thomas grabbed her left hand and slipped the ring on the third finger.

“It’s too big,” were the only words she could force from her dry lips.

“That’s no problem,” Thomas said, bending over her hand. She could see the thinning spot of hair at the top of his head. He slid the ring up and down on her finger, and then raised his eyes. “We can get it sized to fit. What do you think?”

“It’s lovely.”

“No, about marrying me.”

That again. Panic set in. It’s not that Kelly didn’t like Thomas. They had been dating since his divorce. He was an elementary school principal in Jefferson County, and she taught fifth grade in a local Catholic school. They liked to walk for exercise, go to Broadway Series plays, and eat Italian. They had a lot in common. But she had never, ever considered marrying anybody, not even when she’d been pregnant with C.B. and needed to get married in the worst way.

“I’m not sure it’s the right time,” Kelly mumbled, looking at the way a thin strand of salt and pepper hair fell across his forehead.

….

Time for a forced smile. Did she want to spend the rest of her life with Thomas Dunlap? Become Mrs. Thomas Dunlap? No. For one thing, if she ever married, she would keep her maiden name. She would never succumb to an out-of-date tradition. And besides, she was too self-reliant, too used to doing what she pleased with only her daughter and her aunt to put her life in the hands of another.

But Aunt Bess was dead and C.B. was married. Thomas was right. She was free.

“This is such a surprise. Will you let me think about it?” She hated the timid note that crept into her voice. Slowly, Kelly disengaged her hands and withdrew the sparkling ring from her finger. It was too much bling. It was too much pressure. She handed it back to him. “You know I don’t do change well.”

Thomas slid the ring back into its protective velvet box. He had the look of a man receiving a death sentence. I hate to hurt his feelings. She hadn’t quite told him “no,” but she hadn’t said “yes.” If the situation were reversed, she’d feel like shit.

“You have a habit of avoiding things,” he said with a sharp shake of his finger, reprimanding her as if she was a six-year-old caught hitting another child on the playground. “It’s a character flaw you need to work on.”

Kelly shifted on the park bench. Thomas was always too blunt. That was his character flaw. She pressed her right hand hard against the bench and fought down her annoyance.

Yet could Thomas be right?

Twenty-one years ago she had avoided telling C.B.’s father she was pregnant, but that was because his mother had found out they were secretly dating and warned her away from him. She made it perfectly clear her son had a future that didn’t include a small town girl from the wrong side of the tracks. It was evident she went behind her son’s back because he never said anything about his mother’s interference. Probably her husband didn’t even know about her scare tactics.

But his mother was right. When they talked about life after high school, he made it clear he didn’t intend to end up in a small town like his father. He intended to go places, be important. Kelly was never part of that future he painted for himself.

When she found out she was pregnant, Kelly couldn’t tell him. He didn’t love her. He would reject her and their child.

And so once Kelly started keeping the secret, she had never revealed the truth to anyone, especially not her own father, who had threatened to beat it out of her and confront the boy and his parents. It was just as easy to avoid telling her mother, who could be bullied by her husband, and later C.B., who accepted life without a father. Leaving her hometown and moving to Louisville put distance between her and the problem.

Thomas cleared his throat. “I won’t wait forever,” he told her.

“Of course not.” Kelly shook off the memories and touched his sleeve. How did she soften her response? “I just need time to process this. Please?”

He kissed her then—a typical Thomas kiss with lips pressed firmly shut and eyes closed. Kelly responded, as always, timidly, tepidly—trying to deny the longing in her heart for the love of her life—someone who cherished her, didn’t want to change her and loved her just the way she was.

Someone she was too afraid to find.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS

8 authors in 2 Weeks!

I'm over the moon to have Maddie James on my blog today! *giggles* *falls over*

IT’S A RARE opportunity for me to participate in a sweet boxed set, but I’m thrilled to be able to share my story Hard Candy Kisses in the Sweet, But Sexy BoxedSet! I have very few stories that are written without sex, but this one just seemed like what Patti Jo and Jim would want – all of their hard candy kisses to happen behind closed doors!

Hard Candy Kisses is the last book in the Matchmaking Chef series. I like for my Legend characters to make appearances in all of my books, if possible, and I realized that Kate and Mike, and Patti Jo Baker and Jim Hamilton, had not appeared in any other books besides Murder on the Mountain. This meant that I had to hook Jim and Patti Jo up, and I hope that I did their story justice!

I love writing quirky and fun characters like Patti Jo and pairing them with unlikely subjects. Hard Candy Kisses was a fun write for me, and I really hope you enjoyed their story—and the series!

If you have only visited Legend through the Matchmaking Chef series, be sure to look for my other books set in Legend, Tennessee, along with books by my friends and fellow authors who write about Legend—Janet Eaves, Jan Scarbrough, and Magdalena Scott. You can visit us at www.legendtennessee.com

Suzie is likely going to retire from matchmaking soon, after all, there are only so many single people in the town of Legend, but be on the lookout for a cozy mystery featuring Suzie. Deadly Scoop will be available in 2015. Who knew that a simple scoop of ice cream could be a murder weapon?

Here’s the book description for Hard Candy Kisses:

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and Legend Elementary teacher Patti Jo Baker has tried every trick in the book to land a date for the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Lodge. This includes setting up a kissing booth at the Legend Elementary Winter Carnival—a booth which Principal Jim Hamilton promptly shuts down. Because if Patty Jo Baker is passing out kisses, any kind of kisses, he wants to be both first, and last, in line—and he definitely doesn’t want to sample them in front of the student body.

8 Authors in 2 weeks!

I'm pleased to welcome Amie Denman today on my blog. She's the author of Blue Bottle Beach, a sweet romance featured in the Sweet, But Sexy boxed set for only $.99!

Don’t rent a Moped in Key West: The inspiration behind Blue Bottle Beach

Have you ever taken a vacation that didn’t turn out exactly as you planned? Uh…I’m not the only one, right? Here’s a story taken right from my own honeymoon in Key West. And I swear it’s all true.

When we got married, my new husband was a physically adventurous kind of guy. Motorcyles. Jetskis. Scuba diving. Roller coasters. As a new wife, I was determined to play right along. So we planned a semi-adventurous trip to Key West, Florida. I’m pretty sure any trip to Key West is an adventure, but we planned to add moped riding and scuba diving. Keep in mind, I had never been on a motorcycle or moped of any kind in my life. Bicycle, yes. I thought that qualified me to ride a moped.

It did not.

Did you know you have to pass a “Moped Test” in order to rent one in Key West? I was under the impression there were NO RULES there. I was wrong. The teenager in charge of rentals set up a little course with orange cones in the parking lot, gave me fifteen seconds of instruction on operating the machine and wished me good luck. After two false starts and two crushed cones, the test was over. I failed. Failed! The teenager (who did not look sad or apologetic at all) said, “Lady, I can’t rent you a moped.”

My new husband, whom I had hoped to impress, watched from the sidelines. He consoled me by suggesting I could ride on the back of his moped after he sailed right through the obstacle course like a pro. Seeing Key West on the back of a moped with a confident and somewhat reckless driver was not as much fun as you might think.

The next day, we were signed up for a scuba diving course. My new husband was already a certified diver. I knew how to swim and hold my breath, so I thought this qualified me to sail right through the scuba course at the hotel.

It did not.

After a day of pool instruction in which I didn’t embarrass myself much, our crew of divers went out on a boat. Into the OCEAN. The ocean is very large, salty, and wavy. There were nine-foot waves that day. NINE FEET!! This is too tall. I know this now. Before our boat got out to the reef where we planned to dive, I had already barfed over the side of the boat thrice. I was not alone. Still, I was determined to gut it out and prove to myself and my new man that I was an adventurous gal.

We got in the water with the assurance from the dive instructor that it would be less wavy underneath. Our seasickness would abate.

It did not.

Did you know that you can puke under water? Did you also know that if you puke under water, pretty colorful fish will swim over and eat it?

I tell this story not to impress you with my glamor and talent, but instead to make a point. When I write about flawed and goofy heroines who end up in situations they never would have expected, I know what I’m talking about.

They say you should write what you know. I do.


Thanks for the advice Amie!
Now here's a sneak peak at Blue Bottle Beach!

Blue Bottle Beach is a contemporary romance that will take you to the hot sands of Key West.
There’s no better place for a bachelorette party than Key West, Florida. Jackie and her accountant friends call in sick and escape wintry Chicago to celebrate in the sunshine, but an unexpected twist breaks up the party. On her own for a weekend in America’s least inhibited city, Jackie meets a man who makes her heart do a tropical dance. Mitchell is handsome, charming, and knows just where to touch her. If he looks a little familiar, the thought is quickly lost on the hot sands.
Mitchell finds Jackie equally irresistible as he romances her on Blue Bottle Beach, but he has no idea she should be in her cubicle in Chicago balancing the books for one of his many companies. Opening his heart to any woman after an ugly divorce is tough for Mitchell, but something about Jackie makes him want to forget everything.

When they both return to reality and wintry Chicago at Christmastime, they have to face who they really are without the sparkling sunshine and sands of Key West blinding them. 

Remember, Sexy But Sweet is only $.99 for a limited time! Available everywhere e-books are sold!

8 Authors in 2 Weeks

Have you heard the one about how a sweet romance became a book? No? Well, hunker down and I'll tell you a little story...

My Brother’s Wedding wasn’t a story I was dying to write. In fact, I didn’t have a clue it lingered in my head until I was attending a TMP meeting. Our boss was describing changes with our new category romance lines and she explained how all the books within each line would have similar covers. For example, Next Door covers would be a blue wavy design with the title at the top and the author’s name at the bottom but the middle pictures were customized for each book. She shared mock-ups and used me for one of them. And she titled this fictitious book My Brother’s Wedding.

The more I stared at the cover and enjoyed seeing my name and title on the cover, the more I hashed out a story in my head. As you might know from my Honey Creek stories, I’m a huge fan of the boy next door type of stories. High school loves. People who share a past. Maybe it stems from my own relationship with my high school sweetheart or maybe I’m just a romantic who likes to keep it close to home! Who knows. But as I began writing the story, I knew I wanted to feature St. Louis. In fact, the coffee house, MoKaBe’s, Ryan and Allison share lunch at is one of my favorite places in St. Louis. And the bridal shop is the very location I purchased my own wedding gown many years ago.

Originally, the story evolved into more of a women’s fiction book, which never felt complete to me. I want romance. I want my characters to have a HEA ending. So with some cutting and deleting, I finally arrived at the sweet story we have today.

It’s funny where we find inspiration. For My Brother’s Wedding, it all started with a cover!

You can find your copy of Sweet But Sexy at the following retailers:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS

8 Authors in 2 Weeks!

Sunday is finally here but the fun is just beginning. Raise a coffee mug and help me welcome Constance Phillips, author of All That's Unspoken. Remember, you can snag your copy of Constance's story along with all the other wonderful sweet stories in the Sweet But Sexy boxed set available for $.99!

For me, writing sweet romance was something new, but it seemed appropriate to the tale that needed to be told in All That’s Unspoken. I am so pleased that it was chosen to be part of the Sweet, but Sexy Boxed Set.

I’d always heard that writers put a little bit of themselves into their characters, and would have to say I have done that with every character of every book I’ve written. When it came to All That’s Unspoken, however, I felt myself digging a little deeper into my own psyche while building the heroine, Hailey.

I can bottle up my emotions and hold on to things that—if I would only say them aloud—wouldn’t be as bad as they felt internally. In All That’s Unspoken, Hailey has spent eight years trying to forget what she did--or rather the things she didn’t—say to Nate before leaving town early for college.

From the time I conceived this story, I knew it was a small-town tale. Caseville, Michigan, wasn’t my first choice, but as I began telling the story and digging into those personal emotions, I knew it needed a personal connection, like being set in the community where I grew up.

While there are pieces of the author dispersed through this story, I hope that you will enjoy Hailey’s and Nate’s special story of letting go of the past and facing the future…together.

*fans herself*  Well, isn't he a reason to read this book!!!

Hailey Lambert came home for the holidays to help her father. Instead, eight years later, she is forced to face all that was left unspoken between her and high school crush, Nate.

After eight years, Hailey is back in Caseville, Michigan. Just months after her mother’s death, her siblings want to put their father in a nursing home and rent out the family farm. If that wasn’t enough, the prospective tenant is Nate, the high school crush she left behind the day after they acted on their mutual attraction.

After high school, Nate Jenkins planned to leave small town behind, but life dealt him a different hand of cards. He’s now back in Caseville, raising his daughter and running his family’s diner. His daughter’s speech disorder has been improved by therapeutic horse riding and if he can lease the old Lambert farm, he can get her a horse of her own. The only thing standing in the way is Hailey, the same woman who left him eight years ago without even saying goodbye.

Can they get over all that’s unspoken between them?

About the Author

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids. Her son, now on his own, is planning a wedding, reconfirming that romance still lives and breathes. When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.

You can friend, follow, or find out more about Constance at the following sites: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest   

8 Authors in 2 Weeks!

Today we start our week long discussion with the 8 authors featured in the Sweet But Sexy boxed set, now available at all e-book retailers for $.99!!!

This morning, I'm pleased to get the ball rolling with Magdalena Scott!!!

Hi there!

I’m so happy to be here today. I feel very fortunate to have a story included in the SWEET, BUT SEXY boxed set. It’s always a treat to hang out with a group of sweet romance writers, and even better when we all get to share our stories with readers.

BUILDING A DREAM is a novella set in Legend, Tennessee. As of this writing, there are 29 published stories in this series, with two more to release this year. Learn about Legend and the other three authors who write about it—Maddie James, Jan Scarbrough, and Janet Eaves—by visiting the website, www.legendtennessee.com.

Chloe McClain is an artist, so she’s used to creating something from nothing. This time, though, the project is bigger than her usual canvas—this time she’s bought a big dilapidated building to rehab into a classy art gallery. Should be easy enough; she’ll hire Greg Andrews and his construction crew. Greg’s work has gotten good reviews from everyone in Legend. Of course there is kind of a rush on the project…

Greg is a professional, and his professional opinion is that Chloe’s pile of bricks should be put out of its misery. There’s no way he can bring the place up to code by her deadline, let alone turn it into the showplace she has in mind. But Chloe’s a McClain, and besides a wide stubborn streak, that means deep pockets. Speaking of which, Greg can’t keep his eyes off the back pockets of Chloe’s jeans...

When you live in Legend, Tennessee, there are certain things to remember. People in Legend pull together. Community before self. And you never want to take a wrong step around a McClain—even the cute females.

****

Excerpt

 “You must be kidding,” Greg said, walking carefully around the hole he’d dropped his leg into earlier. “No way can this be rehabbed in a month. No possible way. Mike said you had a time frame in mind—but thirty days is plain crazy.”

“Fine,” said Chloe McClain. “I'll get someone else.” She closed a small notebook and slid it into the back pocket of her snug jeans, then stuck the ballpoint behind her ear. The motion made the cascade of bell-shaped earrings tinkle softly. The sterling silver caught what little light came through the crud-encrusted windows. There was also a diamond stud up high in one ear. Greg had never considered ears to be particularly sexy, but on Chloe McClain, it seemed everything was sexy. At least, everything he'd seen. Her blonde-and-dark-brown streaked hair was wavy and cropped close to her head, but it grew a bit long in the back, and curls caressed her delicate neck. Her eyes were big and brown and bright as a child's. The long lashes and dusky eye shadow had him wondering what those big dark eyes would look like if Chloe were feeling passionate about something besides an ugly old building. Her mouth was generous and shaped as perfectly as any he'd seen on lipstick commercials. Even her nose intrigued him. Short and straight, but turned up on the end. It made her look spunky, and he had an idea it wasn’t false advertising. Her body wasn't runway model thin, but slender and pleasantly curvy. She looked even better once you started talking to her. Then her eyes began to snap, her head moved in emphasis to her words, the music started from her strange earrings, and that gorgeous mouth had you looking there more of the time than you probably should. Good thing she was nuts, or he might be attracted to her.

“So... You’re Mike’s sister?” he asked. Mike McClain had worked for Greg a while now, but there were so many McClains in and around Legend, Greg couldn’t keep them straight.

“Cousin.” She rolled her eyes, turned on the heel of her beat-up sandal, and headed for the door, where she flicked off the lights. Greg looked up at the half dozen bulbs hanging from the ceiling, suspended by dangerous-looking wires. Pathetic. The whole place was pathetic. He sure didn’t want to get into a situation of trying to bring this dump up to code in thirty days, let alone do the project to her unreasonable expectations.

Chloe shut the door after them, and locked it. Right. As if anybody in his right mind would actually want to go in there.

“Well. Thanks for the opportunity, Miz McClain. Sorry I can't help you with this. Good luck finding somebody else.

“Uh-huh. Thanks. Well, I've got some contacts around. I'm sure there's somebody who could take it on. I need to have the place ready to go on deadline, or else...” She let the sentence trail off.

“Or else?” Not that he cared. Just making conversation.

“Or else I can't do the exhibition I've committed to.” She pushed some round-lensed dark glasses onto her nose, and caught her lower lip between her teeth. Frown lines marred that perfect brow, below the fall of wispy dark and light bangs.

Exhibition. Whatever. He needed to move on down the street. “So what kind of exhibition is that?” He hadn’t meant to ask.

“Nothing. I need to go.” A sultry breeze came down the street, making the bells in her earlobes play again. She turned without another word and walked away from him into the breeze. Greg shivered. Some brush-off. Why he cared, he wasn't sure. He enjoyed watching her from behind until she turned the corner and was gone.

Oh well. Cute, but not my type. Dating a cousin of Mike's would surely be more than he wanted to deal with anyway. Might get awkward when it ended. Greg's relationships generally ended dramatically. Yelling and name-calling were sometimes part of it, and he sure didn't need Mike to be in that picture. It was complicated being a single man in Legend, Tennessee.

****

The other stories in the boxed set are

BLUE BOTTLE BEACH by Amie Denman, ALL THAT’S UNSPOKEN by Constance Phillips, SECRETS by Jan Scarbrough, CROSSROADS by Janet Eaves, MY BROTHER’S WEDDING by Jennifer Anderson, DOUBLE DOG DARE by Jennifer Johnson, and HARD CANDY KISSES by Maddie James.

For a limited time, the boxed set is only 99 cents. Just one more reason to snag a copy at your favorite ebook retailer. Thank you for reading!

 AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS | ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS | TURQUOISE MORNING PRESS