Ho Ho Ho! It's another snippet! 😉

Ho Ho Ho! 🎄

One more week, are you ready for the holidays? I'm so very close, and looking forward to a little down time.

I have another snippet from my fun, cozy small-town holiday romance, Merry Little Wishing Spritz.

Enjoy!

Today's snippet:

“He’s convincing,” one of the women who worked there whispered. “And sexy. Where’d you find him?”

It was the darn suit. The sleeves strained against muscle when he lifted gifts and the pants practically drew the eye to his thighs when he squatted to talk to the smaller children. It fit too perfectly. Maybe Peyton had spelled it to adjust to the wearer?

“He found us.”

“Well, you’re a lucky woman—”

“Oh, he and I aren’t together.”

“Really? The two of you keep sneaking glances at each other.”

If we did, it was only because we were working together. “I assure you, we’re not a couple.”

“Hum, well then.” She eyed Jack. “If I wasn’t married…” She cackled. Actually cackled! “Don’t just stand there, girl.” She nudged me. “Bring him a bottle of water.”

It was the least I could do. I grabbed a bottle and rejoined Jack.

“I thought Santa might be thirsty.”

“Ho ho ho! Thank you.” Jack grabbed my hand along with the water and twirled me around once. Heart racing and a bit off-balanced I bumped into him. His free hand settled on my waist. “You’re lucky you’re not dressed as Mrs. Clause,” he whispered.

His eyes twinkled. My breath caught. “Why’s that?”

He glanced up. I followed his gaze to the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling.

Merry Little Wishing Spritz
Author: Cherie Colyer
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genres: Paranormal Romance

Curl up with my small town, enemies to lovers romance with a dash of magic. It’s about a modern-day witch who casts a well-intended spell meant to save her apartment and her job. But magic is unpredictable, especially when her friend casts a little charm of her own that has Cassie lusting after the man she desperately wants to despise. It’s a fun, festive, and flirty read that will make you laugh and swoon.

Grab your copy!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple ~ Universal link

Goodreads ~ Bookbub

Can a cleverly cast spell save Cassie Moore's home and job?

Welcome back! 🎄

Since my last post, I've managed to decorate the house for the holidays. I think I have all the holiday decorations up that I plan to use this year, and I'm about halfway done with my shopping. How's your holiday prep going? 

As promised, I have another snippet from my small-town holiday romance, Merry Little Wishing Spritz.

Happy reading!

Today's snippet:

Jack tucked the midnight blue candle under his arm and picked up one of the beaded bracelets.

“The magnetite stones help to ground the wearer,” I said.

“Do you believe in that sort of thing?”

I nodded. A person didn’t have to be a witch to believe gems, stones, and herbs had mystical properties. He rolled the black beads between his fingers. “Magnetite also attracts love, loyalty, and commitment, if I remember correctly.”

“You’re right,” I said, amazed he knew the property of the stone.

He held onto the bracelet and wandered to the suspense sections.

I followed. “If you buy Lakeside Books—” His gaze met mine, one eyebrow hiked. “ ‘If’?” My fingers trailed over the nicked shelves as I walked. “Now that word is out the store is for sale, you might not be the only one interested in purchasing it.”

The corners of his mouth curved into a smug smirk, implying he wasn’t worried. Would he up his offer if I countered? Jack reached for a book.

Frustrated at the whole store situation, I flick my finger, sending several paperbacks flying off the shelf with the one Jack grabbed. Books pelted his chest.

I jumped back, acting shocked by the books jumping off the shelf. I couldn’t exactly tell him I did it. “We must have packed them in too tightly.”

I pressed my lips together to hide my smile and helped pick up the fallen books.

“This is quite popular.” I held one out. “Lots of twists and surprise attacks.”

Jack glanced sideways. “Is that right?”

“So I’ve heard.” I stepped closer to show Jack a different book, tripped seemingly over nothing, and stumbled. My arms flailed. “Whoa!”

He caught me around the waist. I grabbed his arm. Squeezed. Yep, it’s solid, flittered through my thoughts at the same time a jolt of power, like static electricity, shot through me. I gasped. This type of shock happened when magic collided. My stunned gaze locked on his.

He stared back at me. His slight smile seemed to teeter on the edge of a loud guffaw. Had he felt the sting? He wouldn’t unless he was a witch too. And he didn’t act as if he had. But then magic colliding wasn’t the only reason a witch might receive a supernatural zap. Magic could be warning me not to cast for personal gain. In this case, magic meant for my amusement. I cursed inwardly. Couldn’t a witch have a little fun?

Merry Little Wishing Spritz
Author: Cherie Colyer
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genres: Paranormal Romance

Curl up with my small town, enemies to lovers romance with a dash of magic. It’s about a modern-day witch who casts a well-intended spell meant to save her apartment and her job. But magic is unpredictable, especially when her friend casts a little charm of her own that has Cassie lusting after the man she desperately wants to despise. It’s a fun, festive, and flirty read that will make you laugh and swoon.

Grab your copy!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple ~ Universal link

Goodreads ~ Bookbub

Peek between the pages of Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss

Cozy summer romance anyone? Curl up with my small town romance, Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss, and you might just find yourself swooning over the ice cream man.

Peek between the pages...

The man who had broken my heart on my twenty- third birthday walked out of the backroom. Eight years was a long time. My heart had since healed. Or so I had thought. Seeing him again ripped open old wounds. And darn it if he didn’t look as attractive now as he did then. It would have been easier to run into him again if he were fat, bald, and ugly. But he was just as handsome as before—all tall and sinewy. He still wore his black hair shaved close to his head, and I recognized his Hawaiian shirt as one I’d bought.

After the long road trip, I had to be a sight and not a knock ’em dead one. I almost twitched my nose, ready to cast a spell to smooth my hair and add a little color to my cheeks, but stopped. With my luck, magic would decide the enchantment was for personal gain and turn me into a hag. I ran a hand over my head instead.

“A customer thinks your ice cream is delicious. What else?” Karly said.

“Thank you.” Roman threw a friendly grin my way. His mouth fell open. “Peyton?”

Since vanishing in a puff of green smoke wasn’t an option—partially because it would expose magic and partly because I wasn’t even sure that was possible—I returned his smile. I wouldn’t let him see me rattled.

“Do you two know each other?” Karly asked.

“Ah...yeah.” Roman’s jaw muscle twitched the way it always did when he was flustered. I bet he wished he could vanish in a puff of smoke too.

Title: Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss

Series: One Scoop or Two (each book is standalone)
Author: Cherie Colyer
Cover artist: RJ Morris
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genres: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Heat rating: PG13 Spicy

Book Blurb:
Roman Briggs built a life for himself in Siren’s Cove. He restored the Sugar Cones Ice Cream Parlor and turned it into a popular stop along the boardwalk. He has everything he needs until a certain blue-eyed woman wanders back into his life.

Seer and witch Peyton Woods isn’t sure why her latest visions feature a man and boy she’s never met. Determined to find out, she casts a spell that leads her to a small beach town in Maine and, to her utter surprise, the man who broke her heart eight years earlier.

Peyton's left with one question. Why didn't her magic show her him?

Grab you copy today!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple ~ Other Retailers

Add to your TBR on Goodreads ~ Bookbub

🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦

Sweet Romance and Lovable Pups, Plus a Peek Between the Pages 💕🐶

 

Who doesn't love the cute pet that is there for us? All the books in this book fair have a lovable pup that is there for the protagonist, and I'm delighted to have my small town romance Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss included in this event. 

🐶 💕  Visit the event  💕 🐶

Peek between the pages of Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss

Jinx happily jumped to the ground. She paused, head tilted and ears perked. Off in the distance, a voice sang a lovely melody, like secrets on the wind. It was the song from my premonitions.

The spark circled me, bringing my attention back to the spell. It zigged left around my car and then zagged over the boardwalk. Jinx frolicked along behind it.

“Jinx, wait!” I grabbed my purse, locked the doors, and jogged to catch up. A warm breeze lifted my hair, bringing with it the delicious aroma of barbecue and charbroiled meats. My stomach growled, but there was no time to check out the restaurants. Not with my puppy prancing through the pale sand.

“Jinx!” I hopped off the wood walkway and onto the sand. Ahead of me, Jinx scampered between a couple relaxing on a sherbet-colored blanket and then through a little girl’s sandcastle.

“Sorry.” I skirted the couple. “Sorry,” I said to the girl. With a flick of a finger, I repaired some of the damage to her castle. The loose sand under my sandal- clad feet made it difficult to run. “Jinx, slow down!”

Jinx and the spark stopped at the end of a long pier lined with boats of varying sizes. We were alone. I clutched a stitch in my side. The spark bobbed a couple of times above the clear blue water before plopping soundlessly beneath the surface. Jinx barked.

“No, Jinx. We’re not going to jump.” I hoped the spark somehow heard me and reappeared. It couldn’t possibly think I was going to follow it into the ocean.

I glanced around, hoping to spot the gray-haired man or the boy from my vision. The hauntingly beautiful song blended with the waves splashing against the pier. I breathed in, enjoying the sounds of nature and savoring the crisp scent of the sea. Both were inviting. Maybe that was why they called this place Siren’s Cove. It beckoned people to stay.

Happy reading, everyone!!

Small Town Romance Anyone?

It's Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss book birthday, and I thought it would be fun to answer a couple of questions from readers and share an excerpt, so let's dive right in!

(Q) What was the hardest part of writing this book? 

(A) Truth be told, I stumbled a bit trying to get Peyton to Siren’s Cove. Here she was, a single 31-year-old woman following a vision to find a man she’s never met and knows nothing about, and she was going by herself. Sure, she’s a witch. She can take care of herself, but I kept thinking about how dangerous that would be, and this is a romance novel, not a thriller. I quickly revised what she saw in her vision. Instead of searching for a strange man around her age, she is searching for an older man and a boy. The rest of the story fell into place after that.

(Q) What did I enjoy most about writing this book? 

(A) I loved getting to know the characters. We met Peyton in Merry Little Wishing Spritz, but that book is Cassie’s story. I got to learn more about Peyton and her gift of premonitions in this book. It was also fun to figure out just who a certain brown-eyed ice cream man is.

(Q) What genre of books do I enjoy reading? 

(A) It probably won’t come as a surprise that my favorite genre is paranormal. My favorite paranormal creatures include witches, vampires, angels, and demons. 

QOTD: What's your favorite genre?

Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss is part of The Wild Rose Press’s One Scoop or Two series. Each book in the series is a standalone book set in a beach town. 

Peek between the pages...

The man who had broken my heart on my twenty- third birthday walked out of the backroom. Eight years was a long time. My heart had since healed. Or so I had thought. Seeing him again ripped open old wounds. And darn it if he didn’t look as attractive now as he did then. It would have been easier to run into him again if he were fat, bald, and ugly. But he was just as handsome as before—all tall and sinewy. He still wore his black hair shaved close to his head, and I recognized his Hawaiian shirt as one I’d bought.

After the long road trip, I had to be a sight and not a knock ’em dead one. I almost twitched my nose, ready to cast a spell to smooth my hair and add a little color to my cheeks, but stopped. With my luck, magic would decide the enchantment was for personal gain and turn me into a hag. I ran a hand over my head instead.

“A customer thinks your ice cream is delicious. What else?” Karly said.

“Thank you.” Roman threw a friendly grin my way. His mouth fell open. “Peyton?”

Since vanishing in a puff of green smoke wasn’t an option—partially because it would expose magic and partly because I wasn’t even sure that was possible—I returned his smile. I wouldn’t let him see me rattled.

“Do you two know each other?” Karly asked.

“Ah...yeah.” Roman’s jaw muscle twitched the way it always did when he was flustered. I bet he wished he could vanish in a puff of smoke too.

Title: Salted Caramel Bliss with a Wedding Kiss

Series: One Scoop or Two (each book is standalone)
Author: Cherie Colyer
Cover artist: RJ Morris
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genres: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Heat rating: PG13 Spicy

Book Blurb:
Roman Briggs built a life for himself in Siren’s Cove. He restored the Sugar Cones Ice Cream Parlor and turned it into a popular stop along the boardwalk. He has everything he needs until a certain blue-eyed woman wanders back into his life.

Seer and witch Peyton Woods isn’t sure why her latest visions feature a man and boy she’s never met. Determined to find out, she casts a spell that leads her to a small beach town in Maine and, to her utter surprise, the man who broke her heart eight years earlier.

Peyton's left with one question. Why didn't her magic show her him?

Grab you copy today!

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple ~ Other Retailers

Add to your TBR on Goodreads ~ Bookbub

🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦

Summer Romance Book Fair

Summer days drifting away...

Any Grease fans out there? It's been ages since I've seen the movie, but the song popped in my head. 

For all the readers who enjoy getting lost in summer romances, there's a Summer Romance Book Fair going on. Discover new authors, find your next book boyfriend, and fall in love all over again and again. 

Be sure to look for SALTED CARAMEL BLISS WITH A WEDDING KISS while you're there.

🍦  Check out the event!  🍦

I'd love to hear from you. Tell me how you summer's going or what you're currently reading.

Christmas in July Book Fairs

It's the holidays in July!

I teamed up with some amazing authors to bring you a wide selection of holiday themed books. With so many books to choose from, romance readers are sure to find something they'll enjoy. But don't take my word for it, follow the links below and see for yourself.

This first Book Fair features books from sweet romances to stories with some spice. 

Click here to browse the selection and find your next book boyfriend.

If you prefer sweet romance, this is the book fair for you. There are dozens of books to choose from.

Click here to peruse the selections.

Be sure to look for MERRY LITTLE WISHING SPRITZ while you're there!

Do you know someone who enjoys romance? Tell them about the event. The more the merrier!

Guest Author: Mary Morgan

I'm thrilled to welcome Mary Morgan to my blog today! Look at all the wonderful books in her paranormal time-travel romance series!

Let me turn it over to Mary!

Hello Cherie! I’m delighted to be on your lovely blog to celebrate my 10-year anniversary with The Wild Rose Press! What an epic adventure it has been since I signed my first contract for Dragon Knight’s Sword (Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 1).

Speed round

Good guys or bad guys? Bad

Morning or night? Morning

Favorite food? Bread

eBook, paperback, or audiobook? Paperback

Plotter or Pantster? Plotter

Favorite season? Autumn

Dogs or cats? Dogs

Favorite holiday? Christmas

Night on the town or cozy evening in? Cozy evening in

Favorite book? Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn

Favorite fictional world? Mine

Last book read? Waypoints by Sam Heughan

Favorite song? The Celts by Enya

Favorite junk food? Sweet Potato Fries

Favorite thing to do to relax? Read

Paranormal or Historical:? Historical

Favorite vacation? Traveling by train in Scotland

Beach or mountains? Mountains

About the book:

Order of the Dragon Knights Series

Author: Mary Morgan

Genre: Time-travel Paranormal Romance

Heat level: Spicy

Blurb

They were an ancient order, descended from the great Tuatha Dé Danann, the Sidhe, or in simpler terms: the Fae. Half-human and half-fae, each knight blessed with mystical powers. Given to them were holy relics from the Fae and guardianship over their Dragons.

They were known as the Dragon Knights.

However, some believed the Order had too much power and they tried to possess it for themselves. They were evil and twisted, and their plan succeeded one fateful night. The brothers of the Clan MacKay—Dragon Knights, fought a battle. Blood spilled onto holy ground, bringing forth the wrath of the Fae. Their relics were taken, and the Order was banished—each name stricken from the hallowed halls of the Fae.

The Clan MacKay is no longer.

The Dragon Knights have scattered across the land.

Yet out of the darkness, they will each fight for redemption, and the women they love.

Grab your copy

About the author:

Multi award-winning romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.

If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.

Connect with Mary

Website/Blog ~ Amazon Author ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ 

Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ BookBub ~ Audible ~ LinkedIn

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Bookworm by Cookie o'Gorman

I'm delighted to be a part of the Bookworm by Cookie O'Gorman book tour, hosted by Xpresso Tours. I have an excerpt from this exciting YA Romance, and the author will be giving away a $20 gift card at the end of the tour.

Bookworm

Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: April 20th 2023
Genres: Romance, Young Adult

Bookworm (buk-werm): Someone who loves books, reading, and/or studying. For reference, see Charlotte Kent.

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Kent likes happy endings. Not that she’s looking for one herself. Awkward, never been kissed, and bookish to the core, Lottie would rather read about love than experience it.

But she enjoys helping others find their HEA in books.

Lottie loves working at the library…even if it means running into Bo Stryker.

Broody, athletic, and unfairly attractive when he frowns, Bo works at the flower shop across the street. Lottie is about to get rejected…when surprisingly, Bo steps in, pretends to be her boyfriend, and steals her first kiss.

One viral video later, everyone thinks they’re together.

Bo wants to keep pretending. Lottie wants to make amends—long story short: she was on a ladder; he startled her; the book slap was an accident.

A fake relationship may be the solution. But as they grow closer, Lottie can’t help falling for Bo—which is a disaster because grumpy sunshine only works in fiction…right?

This book features two opposites with undeniable chemistry, one lovable librarian, so many stolen kisses and answers the question:

What happens when a nerd falls for the grump-next-door?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Rolling my eyes, I reached over, gently grasped his forearm and brought it closer.

“What are you doing?”

“Relax,” I said, trying not to laugh at the alarm I heard in his voice. “If I wanted to hurt you, I would’ve done it by now.”

“Says the girl who gave me a bookcussion” he grumbled.

Biting back a smile, I concentrated on his forearm, running my fingers over his skin to find the correct spot. This took a few moments. When I found it, I leaned closer, using my thumbs to press down, gently at first, then adding a little more pressure. Bo didn’t tense. He didn’t move a muscle. I might’ve thought he’d stopped breathing he was so still. But then I felt his breath against my neck.

The sensation sent shivers down my spine.

I counted the seconds under my breath and then released him.

“What was that, Kent?” he asked softly.

“I looked up how to treat a sprained wrist,” I said with a shrug. “It was nothing, just one of the techniques they recommended.”

“You looked that up?”

Meeting his eyes, I nodded. “Does it feel any better?”

Bo glanced down at his wrist before looking back up, locking me in his intense stare. “Yeah, it does. Thanks, Kent.”

For some reason, I blushed. “No problem.”

I didn’t know what made me say it.

But I added, “Maybe now, you won’t be so opposed to working with me.”

Bo shook his head. “It’s not that.”

“It’s not?”

“No,” he said. “I just don’t like the idea of you taking care of me out of some misplaced sense of guilt.”

Oh.

I hadn’t even considered that possibility.

“I thought you hated having me around,” I admitted.

“I don’t.”

“You even told me how much you hate people.”

“Not you,” he said.

My heart skipped a beat.

“I could never hate you, Kent.”

Author Bio:

Cookie O'Gorman Bio: Cookie O'Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad, The Kissing Challenge (YA novella), WALLFLOWER, CUPCAKE, and FAUXMANCE are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances The Best Mistake, The Perfect Play, and The Sweetest Game. Her newest release BOOKWORM came out on April 20, 2023!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

Book Blitz & Giveaway: MID-FLIGHT by Lisa Wilkes

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the MID-FLIGHT by Lisa Wilkes Blitz Tour hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

Title: Mid-Flight

Author: Lisa Wilkes

Genre: Sci-fi Romance

Blurb: 2037 was a really bad year.

 

Lexi Brennan’s best friend was killed in a plane crash. Two weeks later, an intergalactic crisis threatened the fate of humanity. Authorities responded by launching a genocide.

 

Lexi opposed this vicious attack. Then again, what could she do? An eccentric flight attendant drawn to glamorous trysts, she felt powerless to incite change.

 

Until tragedy struck close to home. Suddenly, Lexi was forced to acknowledge the widespread atrocities. She uncovered a network of lies along with an opportunity to restore basic human rights. To protect others, Lexi would have to launch a movement that could destroy everything important to her, including her promising new romance.

Grab you copy on Amazon

or get it on Lisa Wilkes website

Peek between the pages…

Wordlessly, Lexi grabbed her purse and darted for the exit. She needed to see it. She had to know for sure.

 

The midnight sky was pierced by jagged red veins. A thousand burgundy fingers tore through the stratosphere like lightning etched in the wrong color. Puffs of smoke dotted the horizon, mushroom clouds rising toward the ominous red ether. From the descriptions and images in Lexi’s VirtuAlarms, it appeared Santa Fe had gotten off easy. Other cities looked like they’d been struck by an atomic bomb.

 

The world was blazing. The sky was breaking apart in pieces.

 

AutoScan—Jorge Rodrigues, I didn’t see your texts ‘til just now. They’re grounding all planes immediately? Scary stuff. Wish I was there with you. Where’s your plane landing?

 

With a rapid-fire double blink, Lexi sent the message.

 

Jorge’s response flitted across Lexi’s cornea. His words felt frantic. Can’t get down. Capitol Hill is burning. Dense population, nowhere to land. 80 miles from Dulles Airport. I don’t think we’ll make it.

 

Lexi read the last sentence and crumbled. She fell to her knees on the hot New Mexico concrete, sirens blaring in the distance and meteors crashing to the ground with a fiery scarlet vengeance.

 

 GIVEAWAY

 

Lisa will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC at the end of the blitz

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author: Lisa Wilkes has spent 13 years as a flight attendant, jetting across the globe and collecting inspiration for her writings. Her debut novel, Flight Path, is a fast-paced romance laced with serendipitous encounters. This book follows a daydreaming stewardess as she learns to navigate a new terrain: unconditional love.

 

In her second novel, Mid-Flight, Lisa transports readers to the year 2038. A flight attendant begins to unravel after her best friend is killed in a plane crash. In the throes of unspeakable grief, she uncovers a political ploy to decimate one-fifth of the population. To combat this sinister plan, she must risk everything. Including her breathtaking new romance.

 

Lisa’s writing is provocative and timely, with a focus on societal issues and powerful internal conflict. Flight Path’s readers will appreciate Mid-Flight's emphasis on hope and redemption, while newcomers to Lisa’s work will be drawn to the power of her storytelling.

 

Connect with Lisa:

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Etsy 

 

Chatting with author Ginny Frost

I'm thrilled to welcome Ginny Frost to my blog, and to spotlight her latest book, Artist. Discover the inspiration behind the book, learn about the author, and read an excerpt of this exciting new book.

Please help me welcome, Ginny! 


What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve wanted to write this book for a long time. I went on a writer’s retreat where I was shamed for being a romance author. The experience left me a little bitter, like my character, Lexi. The idea sat idle until I became involved with a wonderful group of authors. The Mortar & Pestle series seemed a great place to finally tell Lexi’s story. I’d also like to mention I live near Yaddo, an artist’s retreat in Saratoga Springs, New York. The grounds are beautiful and supremely inspiring.


What are you reading?

I’m a voracious reader of audiobooks. I usually read over 150 books a year but only two or three on paper. Listening to a story lets me get work done around the house, exercise, and cross stitch. (I cross stitch quite a bit.) Every year I complete a reading challenge and blog the books. It’s a great way to read something new or unexpected.


Can you tell us something about yourself?

I love story. I’ve been writing, either on paper or in my head since I was eleven. Apparently, I was writing fan-fiction before it was a thing. I rewrote The Outsiders, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars in my head for years. I always added a romantic element. As an adult, a good friend urged me to write down my original romances and work toward getting published. Twelve years later, here I am with nine books and hundreds of ideas for more.

About the book:

Artist

Author: Ginny Frost

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat level: Closed door

Stuck at a retreat with her ex, Lexi is torn between reviving her art and rekindling an old romance.

Blurb

Lexi Pintari is stuck in a dead-end cubicle job that is slowly killing her. She tucked away her passion for art when the love of her life ghosted her after college. Witnessing her lack of motivation, Lexi’s best friend drags her to an art retreat for much-needed reflection and inspiration. Though knowing her ex-boyfriend is an artist-in-residence there, Lexi agrees to go. Unfortunately, her metal-goth style and enthusiasm for graphic comics clash with the pastel-scarf-wearing, tea-sipping participants, making her ex the least of her problems.

Cole MacDougall is blocked. His rise to the top of the modern art scene is crushed by a missing muse. He is desperate to paint again, but the canvas remains blank. Due to the shortage of patronage revenue, he is forced to put up with the groupie-students. Until he sees a woman standing out like a sore thumb in ripped jeans and a leather jacket. Lexi. Hope blooms that he can renew his passion through her.

For two weeks, Lexi and Cole work together, discovering what they’ve lost professionally and personally. Will a magical Mortar & Pestle show them how to connect the broken lines and seal their destiny?

Read it today!

About the author: Ginny Frost is a hybrid author with two novels from The Wild Rose Press and four indie titles. She writes contemporary romance with a sexy, funny kick. In her downtime, she plays clerk at the local library—the perfect job to feed her reading addiction. She lives in upstate NY with her very own kindhearted ogre, their two smart and sassy daughters, and an evil cat named Flash.

Connect with Ginny

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Bookbub ~ Goodreads ~ Blogger ~ Amazon ~ Newsletter 

 

Chatting with author Darlene Fredette

 

I'm delighted to welcome Darlene Fredette back to my blog. Today, we'll learn her favorite comfort food and the inspiration behind her newest book, Trickster. Plus, she shared and excerpt and has an exciting giveaway you won't want to miss. 

Please help me to welcome, Darlene!


Hi, Darlene. Can you tell us what inspired you to write Trickster?

Jade Parsons, the heroine in Trickster, had cameo appearances in two other books in my Redford Falls series. She was supposed to get her own story a while back, but other characters kept butting in line. I was asked to join a group of six other authors to chat about writing and publishing. Someone brought up the idea of writing a series together about a magical mortar and pestle. I immediately thought of Jade and knew this would be her moment to shine.


How exciting! I love when characters from one book show up in there own books! Tell us, what are you reading?

I read and review books for my magazine, so I always have a book open. I finished a mystery suspense and just started a contemporary. My go-to reads are romance and I like a variety of romance categories such as contemporary, mystery, fantasy, paranormal, and western.


One last question. What is your favorite comfort food?

I had to answer this question because when I’m feeling under the weather, I always say “I’m having my comfort food to make me feel better.” I love rice and my favourite way to prepare it is mixed with soya sauce and chicken. Then cover it with mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Yum!

Thanks, Darlene, for taking the time to answer my questions!

Now, lets learn about Trickster!

About the book

Trickster

Author: Darlene Fredette

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy Romance

Heat level: Clean/Sweet

Tagline: Can she heal the trickster before he breaks her heart?

Blurb:

Working for a top modeling agency is Jade Parsons’s dream job until her boss suffers a heart attack, and his son temporarily fills his position. Eric’s push-pull approach fuels her frustration. While anticipating the troublemaker’s imminent departure, Jade’s destiny is revealed through a magical mortar and pestle, leaving her heart tormented by whispers of a different fate.

World-renowned photographer Eric Martini returns home to restore his relationship with his estranged father, but wounds from the past haunt him. Enchanted by his father’s feisty assistant, he masks his heart and refuses to give in to desire. Convinced his destined future is already written in the stars—and doesn’t include Jade, Eric’s only choice is to walk away.

Will Jade and Eric find the courage to trust the mythical and smokey signs before their paths are severed forever?

Read it today!

Amazon CA ~ Amazon US

Free on KU

Peek between the pages

Two weeks ago, Eric had aired his family’s dirty laundry. Probably unintentional on his part, but he revealed the reason behind his frustration toward his father, and Jade gave her unwelcomed input.

Today she exposed her secret, which felt exhilarating. “I only wanted you to understand you have to let go of the past to be present in the future.”

“And I’m trying. My father and I are on a good path to rebuilding our relationship and for that, I thank you. You forced me to see the error of my ways. I’m sorry for taking out my problems on you. You didn’t deserve my grouchy moods. I was rude and obnoxious.” He raised a brow. “Can you forgive me? Can we start over?”

Smiling, she squinted. “Who are you?”

He strode forward and held out a hand. “I’m Eric Martini. Nice to meet you.”

“No.” Jade pointed a finger. “You, sir, are a trickster.”

“Excuse me?”

“A trickster is someone who has many sides. Disruptive and helpful, troublemaker and hero. I know the man in the office. But I don’t know the man standing in front of me.” She clasped his hand, and a flurry of tingles surged the length of her arm. Warmth flushed her cheeks. Without thinking, she leaned up on her toes and kissed Eric’s cheek. “Thank you for being my hero today.”

Exciting news & Giveaway!

Trickster is currently on sale for 0.99 and is also available on KU.

 

But wait! There’s more! I’m giving away a free PDF copy of The Mortar and Pestle Preview. This preview document is similar to the free prequel offered in Book Funnel, but the preview has tons of additional fun stuff – more graphics, book teasers, an inside look at how the series came to life, and much more! To get this free preview, pop over to my author website http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/ and send me a note using the Contact Form on the left sidebar. No rafflecopter, no contest, and no drawing of names. Just send me a note through the secure Contact Form. It’s that easy!

About the author (bio):

Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short, and the winters are too long. Retired from a career as Director of Administration and Marketing, she now has eleven published contemporary romance books and is an artist at heart. When she isn’t researching her next book or having a pencil, paintbrush, or a cup of hot chocolate in her hand, she’s with her husband, daughter, and one-hundred-pound yellow Labrador.

 

Social media links:

Website ~ Blog ~ Amazon Author Page CA ~ Amazon Author Page US ~ Facebook Page ~ 

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Chatting with author Marilyn Barr

I'm delighted to welcome Marilyn Barr to my blog. Her newest book, Quartermaster, is part of a series that releases this month. Read an excerpt, discover the inspiration behind the book, and learn what Marilyn's guilty pleasure is. 

Please help me welcome Marilyn.

What inspired you to write this book?

I’m a homeschooling mom. I taught the foundations of democracy to my then-10-year-old to kick off his US history class. From Hammurabi’s code in ancient Mesopotamia to the pirate parlay code, I found democracy was found in more places than in ancient Greece and the colonial USA. In fact, women and people of color had equal rights on the sea, but not on land in colonial America. I fell in love with the governing systems of what I always thought were “lawless scoundrels.” Every job aboard was a voted position from Captain to poop deck scrubber, and each person holding those positions had an equal vote. Pirate Captains were slave liberators and portrayed as villains because the ones losing money are the same men writing the history. The truth is buried in the shipping logs from the port masters and merchant boat Captains. I was fascinated!

Quartermaster comes from a love of psychological warfare in the records of 1700s piracy. In the movies, pirates are portrayed as brainless sword-slashers when historically, they hardly ever boarded another vessel. They depended on their reputations to scare their opponents—easy when the general population was superstitious. I fell in love with the tales of Sam Bellamy taking the Whydah by making a pretend ghost ship, Blackbeard braiding firecrackers into his beard to appear possessed, and the rest of the shenanigans of the 4 years called the Golden Age of Pirates. While I wrote about this period in the Walk the Walk series, Quartermaster takes place in 1725. By then, most of the pirates had taken pardons and retired from the sweet trade to a landlubbing life of agriculture or crime. I wondered what would happen if a boat refused to retire. They would be hated by the Spanish, English, and colonial Americans…

I was already half in love with Chub from his role in my other book series, so writing his happily ever after (HEA) became a passion piece. I knew I wanted him to represent tough men who weren’t tall, dark, and classically handsome gentlemen. Chub is a 5 foot 3 inches tall, freckled, red-headed pirate with more brains than manners. What he brings to the table is a patient disposition, a talent for teaching, and a huge heart. He teaches the young crew how to sail, the Captain to read, and his lady love to trust again. I wanted his HEA so badly, the story wrote itself.


Do you have any guilt pleasures or books you can’t get enough of?


I’ve jumped onto the monster and alien romance bandwagon with both feet. I can’t get enough of sweet, mushy heroes who sport horns, fangs, and fur coats. While they can get cheesy, I think monster romance is gently teaching society inclusion (which is a huge part of why I write.) Heroines love their monsters for who they are on the inside. Romance is often portrayed with acts of service and quality time in addition to the steamy stuff found in contemporary romance. If a guy can’t kiss because of his elongated fangs or absence of lips, he must work harder to be romantic.

I also love the monster romance books where I can lose myself in another world…and let my geek flag fly. Some of my favorite authors growing up were Ray Bradbury, Madeline L’Engle, H.G. Well, and Jules Verne. If you add the element of romance to these, you get the futuristic, space travel, and fearsome romance of today’s kindle unlimited. Just because I’ve grown to love all the kissing scenes doesn’t mean my nerdy little heart aches to shoot bad guys with ray guns and plasma blasters.


Tell us something about yourself and how you became an author.

In 2015, my paranormal romance collection was my most-effective tool against depression. I had given up my career as a teacher to homeschool my medically fragile son. My days went from 45-student Physics classes surrounded by opportunities to converse with colleagues, to isolation. My husband travels for work, so most days my son was my only human contact. My books provided adult conversation until I became part of a homeschool mom support group in my new town.

Fast forward to 2018, when I was writing steamy paranormal romance books and “playing author.” If you follow me on TikTok, you know playing dress up is one of my favorite activities. But long before I joined the clock app, I had my books printed and bound by the local office supply store as my “publishing.” I would distribute them to my mom-friends and we would meet at my house once a month for a “book club.” I loved the giggles, conversation, and sharing of our love of romance—more specifically the Strawberry Shifters.

A year later, international travel halted and my husband was home most of the time. He found out I was writing and distributing my books in a pretend world. Instead of laughing or dismissing my dream, he took it upon himself to make my career “official.” Within three hours, I had a website, membership to Kentuckiana Romance Writers, and tickets to several reader-author meetups where I could meet the authors of the books I was reading. At one of those events, I met my hero, Lora Leigh who said to query Bear with Me to a small press. Not wanting to let her down, I queried The Wild Rose Press that night…and the rest is history.

About the Book

Quartermaster

Author: Marilyn Barr

Genre: Historical, Paranormal Romance

Heat level: Mildly spicy, kissing and talk of desires, not over PG-13

Can the love of a pirate heal the wounds inflicted by a gentleman?

Blurb:

Catalina

He violated me. Don Rodrigo took my family’s business, home, and titles, but he will never own me. I’m on the run. He’s threatened to expose my secret. My last hope is to intercept the ship carrying my dowry before our match is permanent. Trusting pirates to give me a fair share is foolish but not as much as staying on the same island as my attacker…

Chub

The letter from our arch-nemesis was written in feminine calligraphy but our nutmeg Captain Teeth didn’t notice. Blimey that because the author of the letter is my lady love. I’d bet my last doubloon. If only she didn’t shrink away from my touch… Killing every scoundrel who dared to hurt her isn’t helping…but it cools the rage I hold inside.

Can Chub teach Catalina to assemble her shattered fragments into the strong woman she wants to be or is she too broken to believe in herself? Will she accept a pirate’s promise of true love or was the Mortar & Pestle’s message too late for lonely Chub to claim his lady love?

Trigger Warning: Rape before the story starts (not on the page and not by the hero)

Grab your copy today!

Peek between the pages...

“Let’s have a cheer for our favorite Irishman, and he will dance a jig!” Teeth’s shout heats my face ten degrees. Make that twenty. I bet my head looks like a boiled tomato.

“I’m English, you grog blossom,” I grouse.

“Chub! Chub! Chub!”

All me hearties chant my name to goad me into dancing. I won’t fall for their pressure. Catalina’s sandy brown eyes sparkle with delight. She’s watching my response, it seems…and the desire to impress her overwhelms my common sense. My protests die on my tongue.

I wave my hand at the crowd to quiet them as I swagger to the main deck. Blasted feet march my person to the center, where me hearties form a circle. My dismay intensifies to annoyance when the mountainous nutmegs stand in front of Catalina’s seat. I’m not dancing if she’s not watching...and I’m not admitting that aloud like a petulant child, either. Without a second thought, I shove my way through the circle to bring her to the front lines.

My hand extends to her in an offer to help her up from where she sits.

Avast ye! What have I done? Her eyes are the size of doubloons a split second before she chokes on her water. It looks like I’ve asked her to dance with the whole boat as our audience. What a pudding-headed move! I’ll never live down her refusal. My arm drops in horror. How do I salvage this situation? What can I say to save face? And why is she now frowning—besides my blunder on both of our accounts?

Perhaps a rogue wave will leap out of the calm sea and swallow me whole.

“Catalina, I dinna—” My Irish brogue is thicker than stew, which compounds my embarrassment.

“I thought you would call me, Catty,” she interrupts. The quiet demand cracks like a whip. She threads her slender fingers through my sweaty hand at my side. She vibrates with fear as she uses me as leverage to stand. The frightened lady then drags me to the center of the main deck circle, where she waits for my lead.

Could she be afraid of me? In that case, why wouldn’t she refuse the dance and laugh off my advances?

The music slows, and I circle her like a vulture. My hearties laugh and catcall as if I’m hunting on their behalf. Their assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m watching her body language for clues on how to proceed without hurting her. A smirk plays upon her lips like she’s playing the game, but the corner of her left eye has a twitch that I would miss, had I not studied her. She rubs the leather cuff on her right wrist as if suffering from a rope burn.

I run my fingertip down her arm, and she shivers. Either she desires me to the point of losing control—which I doubt with this audience—or she’s covering a flinch at my touch. My fingertip climbs her other arm and across her shoulders. The flinch is unmistakable as her shoulders shimmy.

I hope she will appreciate the change in the crowd’s mood enough to forgive my crassness. “A lady with such bounce can’t dance to your sour dirge. Give us a jig with some life to it!”

The crew shows their agreement with boisterous applause and cheers. Catty blushes a delicate pink but breathes a sigh of relief when I stand beside her instead of in front of her. Someday, I hope to grind my hips against hers in a sultry island dance, but not when she’s trembling under my palms.

“I would never soil the honor of your presence by taking advantage of your sweet nature, my lady,” I whisper onto her shoulder. The top of my head is at her eye level. To whisper in her ear, I’d have to crowd her space on my tiptoes.

“For your observant and kind nature, I am most grateful,” she replies, so quietly that I must read her lips. The secret smile we share is one I will tuck into my heart for my darkest of days.

The music kicks up to a lively three-quarter tune. I hop on my toes in traditional Irish fashion and glare at anyone who points out my authenticity. After a few rounds of eight counts, Catty follows my footwork. We are bouncing and laughing while our audience claps along. I weave my footwork into her space and out again. The movements bring our bodies close for mere seconds before leading us apart like a delicious tease. With her hands unfettered, she can shove me away or swat at my antics. Instead, I collect shy smiles, flirty eyelash flutters, and eyefuls of bouncing dairy.

I bet this is what heaven is like.

About the author:

Marilyn Barr lives in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and rescue cats. From medical school reject to spiritual healer, physics teacher to homeschool mom, and scientist to paranormal romance writer, she has a diverse collection of experiences which she sprinkles into her works. She has nine books with The Wild Rose Press in multiple romance subgenres from sweet, new adult romance to erotic, fantasy romance. She loves to place monstrous characters with hearts of gold in historical romances and her historical, paranormal romances have won the Crowned Heart Award, 2nd place in National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest, Imadjinn Award for Best Paranormal Romance, and Grand Finalist for the InD’Tale Magazine’s RONE Award. When engaging in the real world, you can find her with the Kentuckiana Romance Writers as President-Elect, volunteering with her son’s Special Olympics teams, or dancing around her kitchen. She is a sucker (haha) for cheesy horror movies, Italian food, punk music, black cats, bad puns, and all things witchy. For the latest Strawberry news and witchy tips, join her newsletter at www.marilynbarr.com

Connect with Marilyn Barr

www.marilynbarr.com ~ TikTok ~ Instagram ~ BookBub Author Profile ~ Amazon Author profile ~ Goodreads