SOMEWHERE MY LOVE by @BethTrissel #9WaysBoxSet #romance #boxset

Somewhere 

My Love

by Beth Trissel

This month I'm featuring all the authors from the 9 Ways to Fall in Love box set.  Yep, you get nine full romance novels—everything from romantic suspense and paranormal to western historical romance.  Today, meet Beth Trissel!

Thanks Jacquie for having me share about light paranormal romance novel, Somewhere My Love (Somewhere in Time). I conceived the idea for my Somewhere in Time series about 8 years ago while watching one of my favorite British mysteries, Midsomer Murders. I enjoy the historic setting of these modern day mysteries, but especially when the story flashes back to an earlier time period in an old manor house to get to the root of the mystery. So I thought, why not incorporate that with my love of romance and history.

Moreover, I'm intrigued by ghost stories, and Virginia has more tales than any other state. I find myself asking if the folk who've gone before us are truly gone, or do some still have unfinished business in this realm? And what of the young lovers whose time was tragically cut short, do they somehow find a way? Love conquers all, so I answer 'yes.' The theme behind ghostly, murder mystery romance novel Somewhere My Love, the first in my Somewhere in Time series.

About Somewhere My Love

Fated lovers have a rare chance to reclaim the love cruelly denied them in the past, but can they grasp this brief window in time before it's too late? Two hundred years ago Captain Cole Wentworth, the master of an elegant Virginian home, was murdered in his chamber where his portrait still hangs. Presently the estate is a family owned museum run by Will Wentworth, a man so uncannily identical to his ancestor that spirit-sensitive tour guide Julia Morrow has trouble recognizing Cole and Will as separate. As Julia begins to remember the events of Cole's death, she must convince Will that history is repeating, and this time he has the starring role in the tragedy. The blade is about to fall.~

"As I read Somewhere My Love, I recalled the feelings I experienced the first time I read Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca long ago. Using the same deliciously eerie elements similar to that Gothic romance, Beth Trissel has captured the haunting dangers, thrilling suspense and innocent passions that evoke the same tingly anticipation and heartfelt romance I so enjoyed then, and still do now." ~joysann for Publisher's Weekly

A bit about Beth

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles.

Beth's Amazon Author Page | Blog

9 Ways to Fall in Love

9 Romance Novels for 99¢!

Caroline Clemmons, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father arranged the marriage trap for Dallas McClintock but she’d do anything to protect her family. Wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, rancher Dallas learns his wife has a silly superstition for everything. But passion-filled nights with her make up for her annoying habits and family. 

Carra Copelin, CODE OF HONOR. Graeme McAlister returned home to discover why his foster brother supposedly overdosed on morphine and crashed a company jet. When Graeme McAlister comes back to McTiernan, TX and stirs up widow Maggie Benning’s old memories and feelings, can she overcome past pain to accept the a new love in her life?

Geri Foster, OUT OF THE SHADOWS. Falcon Securities Agent Brody Hawke sees the world from a tilted angle. A.J., who saved Brody’s life, is captured and diplomats are getting nowhere in his rescue. Brody takes over even though he knows his impetuous actions will ruin his career. CIA agent Kate Stone’s life is torn apart when Brody kidnaps her. When she and Brody reach A.J., they learn the situation is more serious and far-reaching than they’d imagined. Brody, Kate and Falcon Securities must rescue A.J. and stop the assassination of the President of the USA. Will Brody and Kate discover love along the way?

Kathy Ivan, LOSING CASSIE. Welcome to Destiny's Desire Lodge, where The Fates manipulate and the Fate-Keeper battles to unite predestined souls. The arrival of a mysterious letter draws Jake Stone to Destiny's Desire. Cassie Daniels has been running for seven long years. To find happiness she must face past evil. When Fate and Destiny collide . . . can Love survive?

Paty Jager, SECRETS OF A MAYAN MOON. Doctor of Anthropology, Isabella Mumphrey, is about to lose her university job. Her mentor’s request for her assistance on a Guatemalan dig is the opportunity she’s been seeking. DEA agent Tino Kosta, is deep undercover as a tracker and jungle guide. Isabella’s appearance heats his Latin blood, taking him on a dangerous detour that could leave them both casualties of the jungle.

Anna Jeffrey, SWEET RETURN. When Dalton Parker is summoned home to handle a family crisis, the last thing he expects is a prime pasture of his family’s ranch taken over by stinking chickens. The explanation is Joanna Walsh, his mother’s best friend. He can’t keep from admiring Joanna’s caring nature and common sense, not to mention her great body. The dumbest thing he could do is try to lure her into his bed, but he’s never been smart when it comes to women.

DeLaine Roberts, TWO SIDES OF A HEARTBEAT. After a beautiful proposal, Dr. Grayson Brooks pleads with his fiance', Alexandra Morrison, not to get on the plane. Once the plane is in the air, events turn their lives upside down. Secrets and the past once again haunt both families. Alexandra is so close to having it all: a baby, a gorgeous husband, and a family united. But is she strong enough to fight for what she wants? 

Jacquie Rogers, SLEIGHT OF HEART. Starched-up Lexie Campbell, more comfortable with neat and tidy numbers than messy emotions, must find the man who ruined her little sister and make him marry her. When his lookalike brother Burke appears, she greets him with a gun and forces him to help her. Smooth-dealing Burke O’Shaughnessy, riverboat gambler and prestidigitator, must find his brother Patrick to claim the family fortune. But when Lexie shows an astounding talent for counting cards and calculating odds, he figures she might be useful after all. Can he resist the queen of hearts?

Beth Trissel, SOMEWHERE MY LOVE. Two hundred years ago Captain Cole Wentworth was murdered in his chamber where his portrait still hangs. Presently the estate is a family owned museum run by Will Wentworth. As spirit-sensitive tour guide Julia Morrow begins to remember the events of Cole's death, she must convince Will that history is repeating, and he has the starring role in the tragedy. The blade is about to fall.

Nine Ways to Fall in Love, a #boxset of 9 romance novels for 99¢! #9WaysBoxSet

9 Ways to Fall in Love

♥ 9 Romance Novels for 99¢! ♥

Nine romance novels from nine of your favorite authors are offering this high quality box set is on sale for 99¢ in September only!  Buy yours now before the price returns to $8.99.  Here's a listing of the highly reviewed books from award-winning authors:

Caroline Clemmons, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father arranged the marriage trap for Dallas McClintock but she’d do anything to protect her family. Wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, rancher Dallas learns his wife has a silly superstition for everything. But passion-filled nights with her make up for her annoying habits and family. 

Carra Copelin, CODE OF HONOR. Graeme McAlister returned home to discover why his foster brother supposedly overdosed on morphine and crashed a company jet. When Graeme McAlister comes back to McTiernan, TX and stirs up widow Maggie Benning’s old memories and feelings, can she overcome past pain to accept the a new love in her life?

Geri Foster, OUT OF THE SHADOWS. Falcon Securities Agent Brody Hawke sees the world from a tilted angle. A.J., who saved Brody’s life, is captured and diplomats are getting nowhere in his rescue. Brody takes over even though he knows his impetuous actions will ruin his career. CIA agent Kate Stone’s life is torn apart when Brody kidnaps her. When she and Brody reach A.J., they learn the situation is more serious and far-reaching than they’d imagined. Brody, Kate and Falcon Securities must rescue A.J. and stop the assassination of the President of the USA. Will Brody and Kate discover love along the way?

Kathy Ivan, LOSING CASSIE. Welcome to Destiny's Desire Lodge, where The Fates manipulate and the Fate-Keeper battles to unite predestined souls. The arrival of a mysterious letter draws Jake Stone to Destiny's Desire. Cassie Daniels has been running for seven long years. To find happiness she must face past evil. When Fate and Destiny collide . . . can Love survive?

Paty Jager, SECRETS OF A MAYAN MOON. Doctor of Anthropology, Isabella Mumphrey, is about to lose her university job. Her mentor’s request for her assistance on a Guatemalan dig is the opportunity she’s been seeking. DEA agent Tino Kosta, is deep undercover as a tracker and jungle guide. Isabella’s appearance heats his Latin blood, taking him on a dangerous detour that could leave them both casualties of the jungle.

Anna Jeffrey, SWEET RETURN. When Dalton Parker is summoned home to handle a family crisis, the last thing he expects is a prime pasture of his family’s ranch taken over by stinking chickens. The explanation is Joanna Walsh, his mother’s best friend. He can’t keep from admiring Joanna’s caring nature and common sense, not to mention her great body. The dumbest thing he could do is try to lure her into his bed, but he’s never been smart when it comes to women.

DeLaine Roberts, TWO SIDES OF A HEARTBEAT. After a beautiful proposal, Dr. Grayson Brooks pleads with his fiance, Alexandra Morrison, not to get on the plane. Once the plane is in the air, events turn their lives upside down. Secrets and the past once again haunt both families. Alexandra is so close to having it all: a baby, a gorgeous husband, and a family united. But is she strong enough to fight for what she wants? 

Jacquie Rogers, SLEIGHT OF HEART. Starched-up Lexie Campbell, more comfortable with neat and tidy numbers than messy emotions, must find the man who ruined her little sister and make him marry her. When his lookalike brother Burke appears, she greets him with a gun and forces him to help her. Smooth-dealing Burke O’Shaughnessy, riverboat gambler and prestidigitator, must find his brother Patrick to claim the family fortune. But when Lexie shows an astounding talent for counting cards and calculating odds, he figures she might be useful after all. Can he resist the queen of hearts?

Beth Trissel, SOMEWHERE MY LOVE. Two hundred years ago Captain Cole Wentworth was murdered in his chamber where his portrait still hangs. Presently the estate is a family owned museum run by Will Wentworth. As spirit-sensitive tour guide Julia Morrow begins to remember the events of Cole's death, she must convince Will that history is repeating, and he has the starring role in the tragedy. The blade is about to fall.

9 Ways to Fall in Love
To win prizes all during September, 
go to our
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A sneak peek into INVISIBLE POWER by @MaryBuckham

Invisible Power
Invisible Recruits, Book 2
by Mary Buckham

Amazon | B&N

One of the very best benefits of being a writer is meeting other writers, and Mary Buckham is one of the nicest and most talented writers I know. Her first novel in the Invisible Recruits series, Invisible Magic, is included in a box set for a short time, so you might want to rush over and buy it. She also has two novellas available in this series, Invisible Prison and Invisible Duty.

About Mary

Mary Buckham

Award-winning author Mary Buckham credits her years of international travel and curiosity about different cultures that resulted in creating high-concept urban fantasy and romantic suspense stories. Her newest Invisible Recruit series has been touted for the unique voice, high action and rich emotion. A prolific writer, Mary also co-authors the young adult sci-fi/fantasy Time Trap part of the Red Moon series with NYT bestseller Dianna Love. Mary lives in Washington State with her husband and, when not crafting a new adventure, she travels the country researching settings and teaching other writers. Don’t miss her latest reference books on Writing Active Setting.

Currently she is neck-deep into writing an Urban Fantasy series centered around five women drafted to combat preternatural beings agitating for world domination. The Invisible Recruit series combines a fantasy/paranormal element with high stakes and the pace of action adventure stories. Mary loves creating thrills, spills and spells as she follows the ups and downs of fascinating characters starting with Alex Noziak, the heroine of Invisible Magic, Invisible Fate, and Invisible Power.

Want to visit Mary?  You can find her all over the internet:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Excerpt: Invisible Power

by Mary Buckham

Chapter 1

I’m Alex Noziak, a witch/shaman in the temporary employment of the IR Agency. I for invisible, R for recruit, and calling any of my five-member team employed was a load of crock. I was here as an alternative to prison. Long story boiled down to a year’s agreement to be a member of a small, highly secret organization meant to combat a rising tide of preternatural agitation against humans. Fancy words for saying five of us stood against who knew how many species that, until lately, were mostly content to stay hidden from human eyes.

Alex Noziak

So here I was, in the exotic city of Paris, lounging on a street corner, a baby buggy in front of me, dressed like a down-on-her-luck Parisian mother. I had my waist-length braid of hair tucked up under a cheap hat that was itching like crazy and enough makeup on my face to disguise my Native American skin tones. I’d considered using an appearance spell then discarded it. Not that I liked looking like I’d bought every kind of cosmetic Walmart had to offer and used all of it at once, but magic was something I used with extreme caution.

Why? Because it always exacted a price and I was still smarting from my last bout with spell casting. That and a run-in with a demonic African witch doctor.

About two months ago it became apparent that someone, or something, was no longer happy with the status quo of humans being blithely unaware that there were more than themselves populating the planet. Preternaturals had their reasons for flying under the radar, for many of them survival being the biggest reason. Humans tended to kill first and ask questions later when they dealt with anything they perceived as a threat. If you don’t believe me consider the poor cockroach. As if a bug that small was really going to do something to them. Non-humans, like most squishy, squirmy bugs, fell squarely under the category of dead must be better.

But someone wanted to change all that and my job, along with my five teammates, was to stop it from happening.

Team leader Vaughn, who was sitting at a nearby café table, sipping espresso and looking more French than the locals, was I assumed fully human. She also was a socialite, pampered money, and stunning looks; more than that though, she was willing to put her life on the line for a cause, protecting those who didn’t know they needed protection.

Then there was Kelly, a former kindergarten teacher who was so nice I kept waiting for the catch. Her gift was the ability to turn invisible for short bursts of time. Drawback was, she was still learning how to get a handle on not popping away when stressed or scared. Right now she was playing tourist, complete with a crumpled map, a camera, and a vacuous expression on her face as she looked around the seedy neighborhood. She fit the role so well even I believed she was lost.

She was waiting for my signal to do her thing, become invisible and reconnoiter our target and mission accomplished. A quick get-in-and-get-out-in-one-piece job. Piece of cake.

Jaylene Smart and Mandy Reyes were the two other team members, lounging against a far wall, looking, except for the cast on Mandy’s arm like hookers trolling for johns among a few other women doing the same thing. Jaylene, tall, gorgeous, and African American was a psychic, which meant she saw the future. Not always in technicolor or clearly, but that was the challenge with gifts, you had to take the bad with the good.

Hispanic Mandy was a soulless spirit walker; someone who like me, could pass over to the spirit world. Difference was I remained a shaman when I traveled between realms. She might as well have worn a neon sign that flashed corporal-body-ready-to-be-inhabited to any spirit with enough chutzpah to try.

I figured the reason some spirit hadn’t succeeded yet was only because they were wary of Mandy’s abrasive personality. Smart spirits.

M.T. Stone was our team instructor, and as we had yet to finish our training, was here with us for support. Since he’d nearly died on our last mission, one that was supposed to be easy, I took it as a good sign. He’d barely left a German hospital so his presence was meant for tactical support. He was dressed as a Parisian workman in a one-piece paint-splattered coverall, poking at a chip in a stucco wall. He should have looked harmless but there was nothing harmless about him. One close look and most people’s first reaction was to step back, those who hadn’t already taken off running.

“Team, report,” I repeated, getting antsy, as operational leader. I had the most at stake on this mission. Our primary goal was catching a man named Vaverek and all we had was a faint description: broad shouldered, stocky, dark-haired, who was supposed to be living in the second floor, front right flat in the building across the street, a building so old that if Stone kept picking at it might crumble.

We were to verify the intel that this was his hidey-hole and withdraw, period. no matter how much I wanted us to go in, blast his door open and take him out, after he told me what I wanted to hear. With two of the six of us on the recuperation list we weren’t up to doing anything more, even with at least two snipers on nearby rooftops to help us if we needed backup.

Bran

Vaverek was the man behind a dangerous synthetic drug used against humans so far that could force them to commit crimes without their knowledge. Two weeks ago we’d stopped two of the women involved in testing the drug on unsuspecting victims. We also managed to seize a sizeable amount of the drug, which should have been a high-five moment for the team, and for me as point on that operation.

The moment lasted a lot less than sixty seconds when a containment spell I’d cast backfired and killed our two chief suspects before they could give us any leads to their power brokers, the individuals who financially backed the scheme, and who might still have enough of the drug, or worse, the formula, to pose a threat.

But there was more. Vaverek was also our only link to the increasingly dangerous agitation among the world’s non-human population. We needed to know who Vaverek was working for, as well as free the man Vaverek held hostage.

My brother.

* * *

A few questions for Mary

JR: Pick one that suits your temperament best—Super-heroine, Sorceress, Faery. Why? Which would you rather be instead?

MB: Sorceress no doubt! I’m always concocting something, stirring in a little of this and a little of that, stretching for something new and usually out of my comfort zone. Don’t think I’d want to be a super-heroine because it can be pretty one dimensional. Plus I don’t have the patience to keep saving people. After a while I’d start telling folks – “you have all the power, save yourself”. I think that’s healthier in the long term. And the fae in my stories tend to be either mostly good or really, really dangerous and bad. No wimpy faes. But again, it could get very boring being good all the time and redundant being bad all the time, so sorceress I am!

JR: If you had it to do all over again, would you still be a writer? What is it about writing a story that compels you to keep creating more and more?

MB: I think we have no choice in being a writer or not. We either are, and are driven to share stories, or we’re not. Stories are as old as our ancestors sitting around campfires. There’s a need to understand the greater world, the meaning of life, what makes other people tick and that’s what stories reveal. Writing is a manifestation of story telling and if we’re given this gift, to ignore it starts creating consequences. Most writers I know say they get cranky or hard to live with if they can’t write. It’s not an easy path and many times being a writer can be as much bane as bonus. Writing is the means to share with others our own insights and gifts of people watching. If I could not write I’d still have to find a way to tell stories.

JR: Tell us how Invisible Power evolved. Start from the very first moment you got the idea, and take us through the entire creation process.

MB: Since this novel is the second in an ongoing series the core kernel of the story grows out of what it means for a half-witch/half-shaman heroine, Alex Noziak, to claim her gifts and the consequences of those gifts. She is aware of magic and preternaturals but most humans are not. Now she’s been tapped as a special group of unusually talented women to use her own gifts to keep the human population safe from preternaturals who are no longer happy with remaining invisible to humans. Alex must grow into her magic and shamanistic self while doubting herself and knowing full well using magic means huge repercussions. The concept of invisibility, by choice or by living in an environment where a woman’s innate gifts have been undervalued is fascinating to me. Many women can relate to Alex, not because of her woo-woo abilities but in her struggle to come to terms with who she is and what she can do. It’s not an easy path, filled with lots of what-if second-guessing and OMG moments, but she’s willing to try, which makes her a person readers root for.

Win Ten Books!

The first book in this series, Invisible Magic, is currently part of The Perfect Ten box set so I’ll be delighted to gift five lucky folks who post a comment an e-copy of all ten of these books.

Please be sure to include your email address with your comment!  

Drawing will be held at 9pm PT, August 31, 2013.

Thanks for visiting, Mary!

Meet Me at Fountain Park by Mindy Killgrove: Blogger Book Fair #BBF

Blogger Book Fair

featuring

Meet Me at Fountain Park

by Mindy Killgrove

All this week I've featured Blogger Book Fair authors and their books, and today we have Mindy Killgrove. She's the author of Meet Me at Fountain Park and is the creator of the blog: Mindy’s Thoughts on Love and Other Funny Things.

Mindy Killgrove

Meet Me at Fountain Park is the second offering in the Missy Lawrence Trilogy. Meet Me at the Pond, the first installment, was named the Reader’s Choice Award for Women’s Fiction during the bi-annual Blogger Book Fair.

Killgrove is a former journalist and non-fiction author. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, where she teaches high school English.

Connect with Mindy Killgrove on Facebook, Tumblr, or on her website. Follow her on Twitter.

Jacquie: Give us a brief bio and tell us what has driven you to write in your genre.

Mindy: I’ve always considered myself a storyteller. A few years ago, I was in the midst of spinning a yarn when one of my colleagues suggested that I write a book. I’d been writing my own little novels since I was a child, so this was not the first time that I’d thought about putting my words on paper. Now, a few years after creating an idea for a book series, I’ve accomplished my goal and had two books published.

Jacquie: Please share the cover blurb for Meet Me at Fountain Park.

Mindy: Everything changes, or at least that’s what they say. For Missy Lawrence, this old adage just doesn’t fit. Her life has come to an unsolicited standstill. Her job as a news reporter for WSTA-Charlotte is miraculously mundane and her love life is practically non-existent. Even though she tries, she can’t seem to pull herself out of this rut.

While she’s stuck in between, all of her friends are finding themselves in a flurry of activities: Brooklyn’s moving in with Duke, Benson and Jack are heading across the country in search of stardom, and Adair is preparing to walk down the aisle and wed the man of her dreams. As her social engagements pile up, she notices that her calendar has reached maximum capacity because of her friends and their obligations. Missy now realizes that she is going to have to make a huge decision: Will she stay in the past or will she join her capricious pals and take a leap of her own?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Jacquie: Why do you write in the romance genre? 

Mindy: I elected to begin my writing career in the romance genre because it’s just so much fun to read (and to write). I wanted to start by writing something that my friends would read. I aimed to create a light piece of fiction that would be fun to read at the end of a long work day.

Jacquie: If a person who had never read a romance asked you for a recommendation, what novel or movie would you recommend and why?

Mindy: I love media. I’m a huge movie buff and I have to read something every single day. My favorite author is Charlaine Harris- at the moment. Everything she touches is pure golden. The Sookie Stackhouse Series is truly her best work, but I’m in the midst of enjoying the Harper Connelly Series as well. As for movies, the BBC version of “Pride and Prejudice” is my favorite romantic movie. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try Just Friends, starring Ryan Reynolds.

Jacquie: Why must Missy Lawrence take this particular story journey?

Mindy: In Meet Me at the Pond, Missy learns a lot about falling in love and allowing past relationships to provide stepping stones. In the first book, she has a lot of relationship background to build. In this book, Meet Me at Fountain Park, Missy has to start making decisions that will lead to her own happiness. First, she gets the knowledge, now she has to be ready to put that information to work for her own good.

Jacquie: What’s next? Is Meet Me at Fountain Park a part of a series?

Mindy: Absolutely. This is the second book in the trilogy. Meet Me at Rock Creek will be the final adventure for Missy Lawrence and her crew. These ladies have grown together (and in some cases drifted apart), but in the final installment, all of their questions will come to the final point: “Love is like running a race—it isn’t easy for anyone.”

Contest!

Mindy is giving away three copies of each book. All you have to do is enter on Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out these

Blogger Book Fair authors

July 22: Dawn Chandler

July 23: Haley Whitehall

July 24: Marsha Canham

July 25: Zrinka Jelic

July 26: Mindy Killgrove

Love Remains by Zrinka Jelic: Blogger Book Fair #BBF

Blogger Book Fair

features

Love Remains

by Zrinka Jelic

It's been fun participating in the Blogger Book Fair all week. Be sure to check out the posts of the other BBF authors that have visited my blog this week: Dawn Chandler, Haley Whitehall, and Marsha Canham. Tomorrow, please join Mindy Killgrove. Today, I'm turning my blog over to Zrinka Jelic.

Hello, Blogger Book Fair hoppers!

I’m very delighted to meet you. My name is Zrinka Jelic and I’m author of three published books, Bonded by Crimson, a paranormal romance, and Treasured Chest, a historical romance. Plus my work appears in an anthology titled Angles Cried dedicated to tiny victims of unimaginable and senseless violence of Sandy Hook School.

Today I’d like to talk about my newest release, a time travel romance titled Love Remains. It was published by Crimson Romance on July 15th.

It is dedicated to all women, but especially working kind. It takes a lot of skill and energy to juggle career and family, and to keep going day in and day out. When kids are sick and we have to stay at home with our little ones, we face the employer’s scrutiny and in some cases even losing jobs. The treatment of working mothers in the corporations got me thinking and I’ve decided to show my findings (at least the way I was treated when faced with the issue) through my writing. And since I am a romance writer, what best way to do it than through romance. Of course, being of Croatian descent, I have to throw something Croatian in the mix. Would you sacrifice your family for the sake of your career? Is it OK for corporations to dispose of women who put their families before their jobs? Is there a golden middle?

I hope you’ll find Love Remains a thrilling read as I found it when I wrote it.

Here’s the book’s blurb

Olivia Owen, a busy, single, high-functioning, corporate executive officer, is not afraid to die a spinster for the sake of her career. But in an alternate reality world, bridged by the angel of her Down’s syndrome sister, she meets Tom Medar, a dedicated, Croatian defense attorney who dreams of the right woman, but never has time to find her. Together they foil an adulterous murder plot while discovering there’s room for love and family in their busy lives—but not before they are separated again.

When they awaken from their alternate world, will they be able to cross countries to find each other again?

Love Remains is now available on Amazon.

Prizes!

Also, there’s a little giveaway on my blog and since I’m in Canada I’ll have to make it digital. So a copy of Love Remains for your e-reader and $5.00 Amazon gift card. Just drop by my blog Hello Romance and leave me a comment, join my blog, or like my Facebook page.

And a bit about me

Zrinka Jelic

Zrinka Jelic lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and two children. A member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapter Fantasy Futuristic &Paranormal, as well as Savvy Authors, she writes contemporary fiction—which leans toward the paranormal—and adds a pinch of history. Her characters come from all walks of life, and although she prefers red, romance comes in many colors. Given Jelic’s love for her native Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, her characters usually find themselves dealing with a fair amount of sunshine, but that’s about the only break they get. “Alas,” Jelic says, with a grin. “Some rain must fall in everyone’s life.”

Across A Moonlit Sea by @MarshaCanham - Blogger Book Fair #BBF

Blogger Book Fair

features

Across a Moonlit Sea

by Marsha Canham

Welcome to my stop along the Blogger Book Fair!  I'm featuring terrific authors all week.  Dawn Chandler and Haley Whitehall kicked off the BBF here, and today, we have a longtime favorite author, Marsha Canham!

Jacquie: Give us a brief bio and tell us what has driven you to write in your genre.

Marsha Canham

Marsha: Pirates have always fascinated me, starting with Errol Flynn as Captain Blood and travelling down through the years to the amazing Pirates of the Caribbean. When I wrote Across A Moonlit Sea, I was swashing and buckling right alongside the main characters and had such a grand sail, it has resulted in two sequels, The Iron Rose and The Following Sea. Not only that but I am currently working on the fourth book in the series, tentatively titled The Far Horizon. Love my pirates. Love my Dante men. Love my heroines who not only keep up with the Dante men, but prove they are every bit as strong and dangerous.

Jacquie: Entice us! Tell us about Across A Moonlit Sea.

Marsha: A rip roaring high seas adventure set in Elizabethan England when dashing privateers known as sea hawks banded together to guard their country and their queen against the Invincible Armada being amassed by Spain. Simon Dante, the Pirate Wolf, meets his match in battle and in love when he crosses swords with Isabeau Spence. Together they join forces with Sir Francis Drake on a daring attack on Cadiz.

Jacquie: Why do you write in the historical romance genre? What aspect of life in this genre intrigues you the most? Did you work that into Across A Moonlit Sea?

Marsha: I've always loved the old black and white adventure movies and heroes like Errol Flynn, Douglas Fairbanks, John Wayne. I loved Robin Hood and Zorro and Sir Lancelot, so it just felt natural to write about what I loved. My books are filled with that same kind of woo hoo action and adventure that hopefully takes readers on a wild, satisfying ride.

Jacquie: If a person who had never read a historical romance asked you for a recommendation, what novel or movie would you recommend and why? What did the author do to bring the story alive for you?

Marsha: I would probably recommend Braveheart, with Mel Gibson. Or Robin Hood with Russell Crowe. Both movies put the viewer right into the gritty heart of the era. No pretty makeup or false eyelashes on the heroines. And the heroes..? *swoon*

Excerpt!

Here is a brief excerpt from Across A Moonlit Sea, where the hero Simon Dante discovers that Isabeau Spence is far from being the captain's meek daughter.

Across A Moonlit Sea
by Marsha Canham

While every man within earshot held his breath and waited, Dante stared at Spence, at the wide slick of blood that streaked his throat and spread across his collar. Something in the fierce, burning topaz of the captain’s eyes made Dante look down to where Beau was still crouched on the deck. He took a casual step toward her and used the barrel of his musket to lift her chin, and there was no mistaking the similarity in the bright, hot sparks of amber that flared up at him. His own gaze narrowed in speculation as he glanced back at Spence.

“Such rare coloring,” he mused. “Unlikely there should be such an exact match within a thousand miles … unless the two were related somehow. She appears to be too young and fresh for a sister. A daughter, perhaps? One with a long, shapely throat more than suitable for slitting in order to ease you of some of your stubbornness.”

Spence stiffened perceptibly. But instead of bowing to the implied threat, he allowed a wide, somewhat contemptuous grin to settle across his face as he folded his arms across his barrel chest.

“A clever deduction, Cap’n Dante. And, aye, Beau’s my daughter. The sweet fruit o’ my loins. Mayhap that’s why she doesn’t take any kinder to threats than I do.”

Dante felt a sudden, sharp intrusion of steel next to his skin and his body froze even as his gaze was drawn slowly downward again. Beau’s golden eyes were still staring up at him, but it was her hand that won his full attention, and more specifically, the stiletto clutched in her fist. The point had already pierced through his hose and was resting like a cold sliver of ice across the impressive bulge of his manhood. A flick of a slender wrist would reduce that impression considerably.

“We seem to have reached an impasse, Cap’n Dante.” Spence chuckled wryly. “Unless, o’ course, ye’ve no objection to pissin’ out a hole in yer belly. She’s a fair hand at carvin’, an’ blow me dry, but look at them eyes ye were so admirin’ of a minute ago—I’d say she were in a ripe fair mood to prove it, would ye not agree?”

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Jacquie: What’s next? Is Across A Moonlit Sea a part of a series?

Marsha: There are currently three books in the Pirate Wolf Series: Across A Moonlit Sea is the first, followed by The Iron Rose and The Following Sea. I am working on the fourth installment of the Dante saga as we speak, The Far Horizon.

Thank you, Marsha!
Where you can find her:
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Grits and Glory by @HaleyWhitehall, Blogger Book Fair #BBF

Blogger Book Fair

featuring

Grits and Glory

by Haley Whitehall

All this week I've featured Blogger Book Fair authors and their books, and today we have Haley Whitehall,  author of Grits and Glory.  Here's her bio:

Since the age of four, Haley Whitehall always wanted to be a writer. She went to Central Washington University and majored in her other favorite subject: history. She has social studies and library endorsements. Now she pairs her two passions into writing historical fiction set in the nineteenth century U.S.

She writes what she fondly calls "out of the box" stories. Forgotten history and the complexities of human nature inspire her characters and plots. Mark Twain serves as her writing mentor. Haley loves coffee a little too much. Perhaps that is why she is a night owl. Cats, good books, and a view of the mountains make her happy.

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Jacquie: We'd love to hear about Grits and Glory!  

Haley: During the Civil War, Peter Warren, a tender-hearted, disowned Southern gentleman, spies for the Union Army in Fredericksburg, Virginia — a region where he is well-known. Plagued by memories of his father’s brutality on their plantation, he has vivid recollections which could betray his identity with a slip of the lip. He fears being recognized as an Underground Railroad conductor since posters blanket the South with his picture. Once he is trapped on the Confederate side of the frozen Rappahannock, will Peter choose to save his skin or fulfill his duty?

Jacquie: Why do you write historical fiction set during the Civil War? What aspect of life during that time intrigues you the most? Did you work that into Grits and Glory?

Haley: I have a B.A in history and specialized in American History. The more I researched the Civil War the more I wanted to learn. I’m not sure why this time period called to me more than others. Being my favorite, it is only natural that I write historical fiction set during this conflict.

I’m intrigued by the fact the war pitted friend against friend, brother against brother, and father against son. I have a tight family and I can’t imagine what that would be like. I mean family dynamics are difficult enough in peace time, right? I worked in the split family loyalty into Grits and Glory from page 1. Peter’s father owns a big plantation and Peter is a radical abolitionist. His sister’s husband serves under Peter’s former neighbor in J.E.B Stuart’s cavalry.

Jacquie: If you lived during 1862, what would you visit first? Is there something you’ve been curious about that you can’t find in your research sources?

Haley: I would definitely visit the White House and see Abraham Lincoln. Back then the White House was open and people could walk right in and request to see the president. It would be amazing to shake his hand. I’m not sure if Abe would listen to me, but I’d try to warn him not to go to Ford’s Theater.

You would think I’d be curious about many things. I’ve done a lot of research. I have my own Civil War/Western library and it is starting to take over my house! I know I’ve gotten frustrated trying to determine small historical details, but at the moment I can’t think of a burning question. I’d like to hide on the deck of a blockade runner to experience just what that was like.

Jacquie: If a person who had never read a Civil War historical novel and asked you for a recommendation, what novel or movie would you recommend and why? What did the author do to bring the story alive for you?

Haley: I know a lot of people would be screaming Gone with the Wind, but that story was never one of my favorites. Scarlett was too whiny, and although it was never shown, I don’t think she ended up with Rhett at the end. I would recommend Rifles for Watie — the YA novel that got me interested in the Civil War. It is a classic (won the Newbery Medal) and I have read it numerous times since then.

Harold Keith did miraculous research into the Far Western front. I felt sucked right into the time period, right into Jeff’s shoes. He is a 16-year-old Kansas farm boy who grows from being impatient to get a taste of war to disillusionment with the destruction caused by both sides. He forms friendships with people on both sides of the conflict and falls in love with a Cherokee Southern Belle. I was often either biting my nails worrying about him or cheering him on. I love how it presents both sides of the war realistically.

Jacquie: Why must Peter take this particular story journey? What does he have to prove? How does the Battle of Fredericksburg affect his journey?

Haley: Peter grew up as a privileged Southerner, but life was not rosy. His mother died giving birth to him and he was raised by Aunt Ruth, the mother of his manservant. His father was as abusive to him as he was to his slaves. Peter had to fight for the Union because he wants to destroy the institution of slavery and get back at his father.

Peter needs to prove to himself and to his family and friends that he is not a coward. Being a Southerner is the Union Army puts him in a unique position. He also needs to prove where his loyalty lies.

Peter grew up right outside of Fredericksburg, so this battle takes him home. He has to confront his sister, old friends, and his own nightmares. This battle also changes the course of his journey by getting him into espionage.

Excerpt from
Grits and Glory
by Haley Whitehall

When Peter stepped inside, his breathing slowed to a halt, and he forgot to salute. Colonel Palmer sat at the desk. Lieutenant French sat on the campstool to the left of him.

“I think I have the man you’ve been looking for,” Captain Morton said. “Sergeant Warren was born and bred in Fredericksburg, Virginia.”

“What am I the man for, sir?”

“General Whipple is recruiting scouts,” Colonel Palmer said.

Peter’s heart knotted inside his chest. “Isn’t scout a fancy word for spy, sir?” he asked, unable to keep the nervous twinge out of his voice.

“You’ve a southern accent and you know the area. You are the only soldier in General Whipple’s command with both those requirements.”

Peter’s legs quivered and the rhythm of his pulse surpassed the quickstep. Sweat coated his palms in a sticky, wet film.

“Are you okay? You seem a bit pale,” Captain Morton said.

“A bit?” he shouted. “Sorry, sirs. I shouldn’t have raised my voice.” He paused to regain control of his emotions. “I don’t want to be a spy. I-I can’t. I’m wanted in the South.”

 ~^~

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Jacquie: What’s next? Is Grits and Glory a part of a series?

Haley: Yes, Grits and Glory is the first book in the Plantation Shadows trilogy. I’m in the process of writing a historical romance series for Liquid Silver Books so I have had to put this project on hold, but I haven’t forgotten it! I hope to publish In Dixieland’s Grasp, the second book in the series in 2014.

Contest!

Two commenters will win an ebook copy of Grits and Glory and a copy of my newest release Journey to Glory: A Civil War Short Story. Ebooks will be available in any format.

Check out these

Blogger Book Fair authors

July 22: Dawn Chandler

July 23: Haley Whitehall

July 24: Marsha Canham

July 25: Zrinka Jelic

July 26: Mindy Killgrove