Monday, August 26, 2013

Cover Reveal for The Blue Lute




Here she is! I feel like I just had one of those 4D sonograms taken and I’m showing everyone the first picture of my baby.  First, I need to thank my publisher, Kerry McQuisten for this gorgeous cover! It went through about seven drafts and last week we finally made a break through in choosing which design we wanted to use. From there it just needed a little tweaking and then Wednesday, August 21, 2013 – the same night of that incredible blue moon hanging in the evening sky, this final product came across my email. I was stunned with all the little bits and pieces that had perfected the image of The Blue Lute.

 
Now the hardest part is the last wait before the release. To stay with the same birthing analogy, this is the third trimester and I’m busting at the seams to deliver! I can’t wait to share the story of Brandon Crowley and Lilly Charles with the world.  Until then, hopefully this snippet will quell your curiosity.

 

HISTORY IS ABOUT TO

COME ALIVE FOR LILLY CHARLES.

BUT WILL HER HEART AWAKEN IN TIME?

A doctoral candidate in history, Lilly Charles lives in a modern-day treasure trove of 1920s architecture—Manhattan’s St. Jean Apartments. The former hotel was once in the center of New York City’s jazz scene, and holds secrets Lilly is only beginning to discover.

 
A musical star in his own time, Brandon Crowley lived in an age of prohibition and gangsters, surrounded by the glamour of old Hollywood and the comfort of true friendships. As co-owner of the notorious speakeasy, The Blue Lute, he poured his life and love into his business—as a storm fueled by passion, liquor, murder and money was unleashed. And in the midst of it all, Brandon simply disappeared.

 
When Lilly sees Brandon in a nearly 80-year-old photograph from the basement of the St. Jean, her reality comes undone. Could he be the same man she just saw arrested for breaking into the building? As Lilly is drawn deeper into the mysteries of Brandon’s life, a new storm of desire and danger begins to brew. Beneath the silvery moon and glitter of Times Square, an epic love story across the decades is about to unfold.

 
Stay tuned to Christina’s blog on September 15th, 2013, for The Blue Lute’s release as well as a raffle and giveaway to kick off the roaring Blue Lute party!

For more information about Eryn please visit her website: http://novelisterynlaplant.wordpress.com/
 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Fall Is Almost Here


Don't get me wrong I enjoy the summer and all the wonderful summer time activities. Still I was excited to see the start of colorful leaves on the trees this morning because that means fall is just around the corner.  And in my opinion there is nothing better than fall in New England.  Fall is my favorite season for many reasons.  Perhaps the first reason is because of all the fabulous colors that decorate the trees.  At least here in New England, the trees feature vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.  All the traditions associated with this season also make this my favorite time of year.  Every year since my husband and I started dating we have gone apple picking. Once the girls were born we started taking them as well.  Fall is also when we here in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving. A distinctly American holiday and something everyone celebrates regardless of where they live or what religion they practice. Of course Fall is special to me because it is when my husband and I got married. On November 10 will mark our 12th anniversary. Finally, there is the food.  I love apple crisp, made with extra crisp and fresh picked apples, and pumpkin bread.

So what about you?  What do you love about the fall?

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Teaser Tuesday! Snippet from The Billionaire's Best Friend

Teaser Tuesday! Here is another snippet from The Billionaire’s Best Friend due out in September.

Leave it? After her implication he couldn't just leave it. "Not happening. What did you mean?" Even if the best he could ever hope for with her was friendship, he needed to get past her anger first.

 Lauren unexpectedly jumped to her feet, took a few steps away and whirled around to face him. "Fine. You want to talk about the past, we'll talk You promised to write. Do you remember that too?" She took a step closer. "That day you said we'd stay in contact, but you never bothered."
 
His gut winced. When he'd said the words way back then he'd meant them. He'd even tried once. He picked up the phone started to dial and hung up. Unsure of just what he intended to say, Nate stood as well. "Lauren let me-"...
 
"Don't make up any excuses.” She'd moved closer and jabbed a finger into his shoulder. “I don't want to hear it. Besides it doesn't matter now. We've both moved on."
 
In one motion Nate wrapped his hand around her wrist and pulled her closer. The sudden physical contact caused his heart rate to rev like the engine of his brothers prized Corvette. “Bull shit.”
 
With his hand still wrapped around her wrist, she took a step away from him. "Soon you'll go back to wherever the military wants you. We may never see each other again. The past doesn't matter."
 
"Like I told you the other night, Lauren. I am not leaving." He focused on removing the anger from his voice.
 
A cynical smile formed on her face. "You left the Marines? Yeah right. They mean more to you than I ever did." The anger he'd heard before diminished but sadness took its place.

Lots of authors are posting snippets today! Click on one of these names to be taken to their Page to read:
https://www.facebook.com/LavenderDaye
http://www.facebook.com/MichelleMilesRomanceAuthor
https://www.facebook.com/lindalovelyauthor
https://www.facebook.com/SamantheBeckWriter
http://www.facebook.com/AlexaEganBooks

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Something Special For Teaser Tuesday

Coming in September Book 4 in The Sherbrookes of Newport Series
 
 
 
Despite a wonderful family, a career she loves, and great friends, a void has existed in Lauren McDonald's life ever since her best friend Callie married billionaire Dylan Talbot. Although they have remained close, Lauren and Callie now lead very different lives, that is until Lauren meets wealthy CEO Kevin Walsh. Lauren believes he could be the man who will help make her life whole again. That is until the night Nathaniel Callahan, her high school sweetheart and the one man she has always loved, shows up.

Although Nate ended things with Lauren before heading off to The Naval Academy and his life with the Marines, and he never stopped loving her. Now 15 years later he is back to correct the mistake he made all those years ago.

With Nate back in town, Lauren must decide between the man who promises her the world and the man who has the power to crush her heart again.
 
 
A lot of authors on Facebook are posting snippets today. Use the Hash Tag #TeaserTuesday to find them.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Interview with Romance Author Angelina Rose



After a tragic loss five years ago, Sally Overby becomes an Attorney in Atlanta. She convinces herself that all she'll ever need again is her young son, David, and her life as an attorney. Until one day, Colin Dean barges back into her life and promptly blows her safe world apart, driving her crazy as only a guy she'd had a "school girl crush" on can.


Sally is wary to love deeply. Only, with every loving look Colin gives her plus every sweet kiss, as the attraction between them sparks, she can’t help but wonder if she’s met the one she should be with. And although Colin didn’t realize his life was going to change so quickly, amazingly, he isn’t the least bit interested in fighting that change. Instead, he’s gearing up for a different fight altogether. The one for Sally’s heart.


Will Colin be able to convince her that's it safe to love him... and that forever isn't really out of reach?


The Eyes of Love is a novella… so you can enjoy it in just one day!
 
Excerpt from The Eyes of Love


"Hi there. I'm Gracie..." the waitress said as she put down a napkin and some silverware.

"Gracie. It's me. Sally Overby," she said grinning.

Gracie stopped in her tracks and squinted her eyes. "Sally? I can't believe it! You're stunning, honey!" she said reaching down and hugging her. "What are you doing in town?"

"Reunion. And to see Momma, of course."

"I can't get over how beautiful you are!"

"Thanks."

"You were always a sweetheart of a person, but now your outside matches your inside."

"That's a nice way to look at it."

"So, what have you been up to?"

"Let's see... Became an attorney, got married, had a son, became a widow..."

"Oh, Sally, I'm so sorry! I remember that now. Your Momma told me a few years back. You're still single?"

"Yep. But I have a date to the reunion tomorrow night, so I guess I'm officially back on the dating circuit now," Sally said giggling.

"Date? Who with?"

"Colin Dean."

Gracie started fanning herself. "Oh, girl, you scored on that one, huh?"

"I did. He's a wonderful guy."

Learn More about Author Angelina Rose With My Interview
 
1. Do you ever wish you were someone else? Who?
No, not really, I am happy with who I am. Now, if you were to ask me do I wish I was a millionaire, that would be an easy question to answer. Yes!

2. What did you do on your last birthday?
I was in New York on my last birthday. We had dinner at The Russian Tea Room and then saw Annie at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. Daddy Warbucks is played by Australian, Anthony Warlow.
I love both New York and theater so I had the best birthday…

3. Do you have any tattoos? Where? When did you get it/them? Where are they on your body?
A few years ago I just barely avoided getting a tattoo on my leg.

There are tattoos and then there are TATTOOS. I must like elegant ones (if there’s such a thing), as I have applied the removable ones to my leg. I think the idea of being engraved forever is part of my problem with them: having indellible ink inserted into my skin! Uugh … don’t like that idea at all.

I really do not like the large flashing tattoos at all but I must say I do love many of the stories surrounding them…

4. What are you working on right now?
I’m in the early phase of writing my new series, So, it's probably safest not to say too much.

This series is set in Mobile in Alabama where there are some very colorful personalities. It’s a romantic suspense story so is somewhat different from my earlier books. There is a lot happening in and around the lives of the main characters, Derek and Gabrielle. Derek is a Detective Lieutenant and Grabrielle a newly graduated Pharmacist who inherits her father’s Pharmaceutical Company.

So, there are interesting twists and romantic turns in this series, combined with betrayal and counterfeit drugs.

5. What do you think you’re really good at?
I think taking care of people, listening to them and being able to react appropriately to problems. I have been told I can see into people and see what they are feeling even when they don’t tell me. I am good at helping people to feel better and be positive.
More about the Author
 

Angelina Rose has wanted to write ever since she could hold a pencil. The first daughter of immigrant parents, Angelina had her head buried in books, lost in a world of heroes, heroines and exotic places.

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Angelina's author career.

"I awoke in the ICU... I had been unconscious for several days," Angelina says.

In 2010, Angelina had a long stint in hospital following her involvement in a motor vehicle accident: the longest time off work (as a Registered Nurse), she'd ever had in her life!

It was then she took up pen and paper and started to write again, just as she had done when she was a child. She wrote four short fiction stories for young adults, entered them in several competitions, and managed to win three first prizes!

After happily dipping her toes into writing those short fiction stories for young adults, Angelina has now authored four books in a new "Mill Creek Crossing Romance" series... contemporary romance intended for adults.

The "Starting Over Series" is another contemporary romance series she wrote about a subject she knows well... nurses and their love life. At a recent reunion of her graduating class, she could not help but notice how the same girls would group together and laugh, chat, and even shed some tears over their lives since graduating. Many of the girls had divorced... so Angelina thought "what if a group of the nurses came up with a plan to meet in two years and have a new love story to share?" Then the first story in the series was born.

There is always a story running around in her head. A man with thick dark hair, gray-blue eyes, with an en
gaging smile and a quick wit... or a girl crying over a broken relationship. She finds herself talking to these characters during her day: when she's doing dishes, or bathing babies at the hospital. These characters crop up on days at the beach or on walks through the neighborhood. This is how the stories start to grow.

Angelina's mother was an author, so Angelina grew up with a love of words and stories. If she wasn't writing a short story about something that took her fancy, her head was buried in books... reading, reading, reading, as her brother constantly told her...

When she's not spending time with her goodlooking man, or quality time with her laptop, she's working at the hospital, hanging out with her family and friends, or walking her two dogs around the neighborhood. Angelina spends as much time as she can traveling, then coming home and including some of those adventures in her stories.

Angelina really loves to hear from her readers and she invites you to connect with her on Facebook as she interacts daily with her readers there!
 
Want to pick up a copy of The Eyes of Love:

Where to find the author:

 
Before you go be sure to leave Angelina a comment. She will be awarding a $50 Gift Card for either Amazon or B&N to one commenter. Be sure to visit the other stops on Angelina's tour to increase your chances of winning. The other tour stops can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-book-tour-eyes-of-love-by.html 
 
 
 
 


 



 




a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Teaser Tuesday Again



Today is Teaser Tuesday! Here is a snippet from book 4 in my series The Billionaire’s Best Friend coming soon.

As he rounded the edge of the dance floor his eyes zeroed in on a man and woman. Instantly his feet slowed and his eyes studied every inch of the couple. The man he didn't recognize and dismissed from his thoughts. The overhead lights reflected off the woman's ash blonde hair and excitement surged through him. While he couldn't see her face every fiber his body knew Lauren stood just feet away.


 With his target in site, Nate crossed the dance floor and reached the couple just as the song ended and a fast top 40s dance hit came on. Something between anger and nausea rolled through him, as the couple broke apart and the man whispered something in his date's ear. Then she turned and her eyes locked with his. Unable to look away he held her gaze as a whole gamut of emotions swept through him. For the past year everything he had done was in preparation for this moment.

Lots of authors on facebook are posting snippets today. Use hash tag #TeaserTuesday to find them.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Summer Reading Reviews


Like many of you my to be read pile is extensive and while I had hoped to put a dent in it this summer, that just has not happened. Between the family, work on the 4th book in my own series, and vacation I have only managed to knock off 3 books in my pile all of which I give 5 Stars. 

Here is a quick run done on each of them.

I started the summer off with The Bridgertons Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn.  Julia Quinn is by far one of my favorite authors. I have loved everything I've read with her name on it, especially her Bridgertons series. When I heard that this book was coming out I actually preordered it. The one and only time I have ever done that. This book unlike her others is actually a collection of 2nd epilogues. A way for the readers to see what has happened to our beloved characters since the end of their novels. Some the stories drop us into the characters' lives years later while others start just where those characters' novel ended.  Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who has read the other Bridgerton books. I would not recommend someone pick this one up without reading the other 8 novels first.

The second book I read was The Billionaire's Fair Lady by Barbara Wallace. This is the third or fourth book I have read by this author. I loved this book for two reasons one it was short so I got through the whole thing quickly, a bonus since I have so little free time. The second reason was because it was believable and sweet. The characters were like able and I could picture meeting them for coffee. At the same time the author showed us the chemistry between the characters without explicit sex. Any reader who likes realistic contemporary romance without explicit sex scenes will enjoy this book.

Last night I finished the 3rd book on my list Spellfire by Jessica Andersen. This is actually the last book in the Nightkeepers series, a paranormal romance series that I love. In this book like the ones before it, the author does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into the world of the Nightkeepers, magic wielding warriors who live among us and who must protect the world from ending in December of 2012. This installment of the series focuses on Rabbit, the youngest Nightkeeper Warrior, and Myrinne.  I recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys fast paced paranormal romance novels. The whole series contains just the right amount of emotional and sexual tension. However, I advise that the books be read in order.  Each one carries into the next so if you skip one you'll be lost.

With these 3 books finished, its time to search my TBR list for my next novel. Right now the 2 I have my eye set on are One Night In London by Caroline Linden and Rev It Up by Julie Ann Walker. I will let you know what I think of both when I finish them.