#TuesdayTreasures Fall #RomanticTravel with Kim Iverson Headlee

Good Morning and Welcome to the first Tuesday Treasures of November and the last Fall Romantic Travel post for this blog hop event!

Today's guest is no stranger to our blog. Kim has shared treasures, thoughts and our spotlight before so let's welcome her back and see her ideas for romantic travel....

I love to travel but I also love to find great deals on lodging and transportation so that I can use the rest of my vacation budget to splurge on activities. My husband and I began a tradition a few years ago to make a beach getaway in November, which is the off season for many Northern Hemisphere beach destinations. We love sharing dawn and sunset beach walks, usually with a meal afterward because we’ve worked up an appetite. We’ve enjoyed Cancun and several other Caribbean destinations, though our current favorite fall beach retreat is Myrtle Beach, SC. That region’s restaurants can be pricey, even in the off season, so getting an outstanding deal on hotel reservations is a must! Wherever we travel, we’ve found there’s nothing more romantic than the sound of the surf wafting through the balcony window on a mild fall evening.

What a beautiful picture, Kim! I love to travel too and hope to go on a cruise or two in the future. Thanks for sharing. Now let's see what book Kim wants to feature today....

“Solidly entertaining.” –Publishers Weekly

Winner, 2016 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal for Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Winner, Summer 2016 NABE Best Fantasy Book.

Morgan le Fay, sixth-century Queen of Gore and the only major character not killed off by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, vows revenge upon the Yankee Hank Morgan. She casts a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut so she may waylay Sir Boss before he can travel back in time to destroy her world. But the spell misses by 300 miles and 200 years, landing her in the Washington, D.C., of 2079, replete with flying limousines, hovering office buildings, virtual-reality television, and sundry other technological marvels.

Whatever is a time-displaced queen of magic and minions to do? Why, rebuild her kingdom, of course—two kingdoms, in fact: as Campaign Boss for the reelection of American President Malory Beckham Hinton, and as owner of the London Knights world-champion baseball franchise.

Written as though by the old master himself, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee offers laughs, love, and a candid look at American society, popular culture, politics, baseball… and the human heart.

Excerpt: ALL CALL ME Queen. For my unparalleled skills in leechcraft, most call me “The Wise.” No man dares call me “le Fay,” lest he die.

I hight Morgan.

That is to say, my name is Morgan, so chosen by my mother, Duchess Igraine, to honor the Great Queen of the Old Religion, Mór Rigan, goddess of war. My mother never knew how prophetic her choice would prove to be.

I am the daughter of Duke Gorlois, the sister of Queen Margawse and Queen Elaine, the wife of King Uriens of Gore, and the mother of Sir Uwaine of the Table Round. Blessed good fortune made me all of these things.

By the capricious hand of ill fortune, King Arthur became my younger half brother, spawned upon my most virtuous and blameless mother by that demon in man’s raiment, Uther Pendragon.

I despised Arthur from the very hour of his birth.

Wow, love that cover, Kim! The book sounds intriguing. King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court can be purchased well, practically anywhere LOL! Just visit this LINK and go from there. Now let's find out a little more about Kim....

Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins—the latter having been occupied as recently as the midtwentieth century—seem to be sticking around for a while yet.

Kim has been an award-winning novelist since 1999 (Dawnflight, Sonnet Books, Simon & Schuster) and has been studying Arthurian legends and literature for nigh on half a century.

2015 YouTube video interview: http://youtu.be/DV5iKrEIROk

FOLLOW KIM:

WEB SITE – kimheadlee.com

BLOG – http://kimiversonheadlee.blogspot.com/

NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/boiQ0z

TWITTER – https://twitter.com/KimHeadlee

GOOGLE+ - https://plus.google.com/+KimHeadlee

FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/KimIversonHeadlee

PINTEREST – http://www.pinterest.com/kimheadlee/

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – http://www.amazon.com/Kim-Headlee/e/B001KE2LK2

GOODREADS – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/845537.Kim_Headlee

LINKEDIN – http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimheadlee/

YOUTUBE CHANNEL – http://www.youtube.com/user/gyanhumara

Sure hope you enjoyed today's Fall Romantic Travel idea and that you'll check back each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless!

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Fall #RomanticTravel with Carmen Stefanescu

Good Morning Friends and Welcome!

Yesterday I received the proof copy of Keri's Christmas Wish....no matter how many titles I've had published, the thrill of receiving that first proof then the final copy never dims! The print book may be available early, but the Ebook will be released on Dec 3rd - my mom's birthday. You may remember she passed away in November 2014. Anyway, suffice it to say I'm excited about this new book.

Enough about me though!

Today's guest is new to me and therefore new to our blog, so please join me in welcoming Carmen Stefanescu with her book, Till Life do us Part and a Fall Romantic Travel idea.....

Carmen Stefanescu resides in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble - the psychiatric hospital if not to prison.

High school teacher of English and German in her native country, and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world that of the books.

Several of her poems were successfully published in a collection of Contemporary English Poems, Muse Whispers vol.1 and Muse Whispers vol.2 by Midnight Edition Publication, in 2001 and 2002.
 Her first novel, Shadows of the Past, was released in 2012 by Wild Child Publishing, USA.

Carmen joined the volunteer staff at Marketing For Romance Writers Author blog and is the coordinator of #Thursday13 posts.

You can connect with Carmen at the following places:
http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
https://twitter.com/Carmen_Books
http://www.pinterest.com/carmens007/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624397.Carmen_Stefanescu
https://plus.google.com/117216040843648957646/posts
http://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Stefanescu/e/B00APVDGAA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30115839-till-life-do-us-part

 Now let's see Carmen's Fall Romantic Travel idea....

It’s true that Romania, my country,  is the homeland of Count Dracula, the infamous vampire, but when you visit the country in autumn you are not only going to enjoy its imagery of medieval castles but also spectacular views of autumn’s finest foliage.

 You can enjoy romantic walks in leafy parks dusted with crunchy auburn, red and gold leaves.

Or visit the rural areas for a rustic experience and fill your lungs with the strong, fresh air in the mountains. It’s also hard not to feel starry-eyed among the rolling hills and fragrant vines of wine regions.


And what place can be more suitable for rekindling the sparks of love than a visit at The Gate of the Kiss that features a kiss motif on the gate pillars?

Sounds absolutely lovely, Carmen! Thanks for sharing.

Let's find out more about Till Life do us Part.... what an interesting title....

Barbara Heyer can hear voices of dead people. They whisper of their deaths, seek comfort for those left behind, and occasionally even warn her about future events. But when Barbara’s brother, Colin, is accused of murder, it will take more than her gift to prove his innocence.

Becoming smitten with the handsome investigator, Detective Patrick Fischer, is a serious complication given his assignment to her brother’s case. Barbara senses there is something far deeper—and perhaps much older—than the surface attraction between them. Could that be why she’s visited by a mysterious woman named Emma in her dreams? Could past life regression tie all the seemingly unconnected events together?

Barbara and Patrick must overcome heartache to find the truth to save Colin, and perhaps themselves.

Excerpt 
Barbara drove home in a state of utter mental and physical exhaustion. So many things had piled up on her in only one day. Her head throbbed and her soul was heavy. What had the spirit, Kathleen, wanted to tell her? Why did she mention Colin’s name?

Coincidence nagged at the back of her mind. The time when the girl had regained consciousness, according to the doctor, seemed to fit the moment when the spirit stopped talking to her in the car.

The joy of having brought peace into the hearts and minds of Alfie’s family was shadowed by what the spirit implied. Colin has some explaining to do. I can’t believe he would kill someone, she thought. It’s impossible. He’s a good, quiet kid. It must have been a malicious spirit, pulling my leg. And, what about her own attacker? That despicable man. Could there be a connection? He mentioned the name Kathleen and made threats. She must keep her windows shut and locked from now on.
                                           /././././././././
“Detective, please, don’t  think I’m raving, but I have to ask. Do you know someone called Mabel?”
The man riveted Barbara with his dark blue eyes for a moment.

Barbara cringed inside. He’ll rebuke me.

The man passed a hand over his face and nodding, he answered, “Yes, I know a Mabel. My... my wife.”

“How long ago did she pass away?”

In a voice that was more than a little surprised he asked, “How on earth did you know she’s dead?”

“She’s here,” Barbara replied in a small voice.

His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. The steel in his voice was hard to miss. “What? What are you talking about?” He spun round and looked at the apparently empty space behind him.

Tell him I no longer suffer, Barbara heard Mabel’s voice.

Detective Fisher was still staring blankly around him.

“She wants me to tell you she no longer suffers. She hopes you’ve found in your heart the power to forgive her for committing suicide... for jumping off the bridge.”

The detective looked straight into Barbara’s eyes. The grief she saw in them was almost palpable.

Dear Cap'n, the weather here was most sinister. Thunder and lightning that frightened even most brave sailors. All the banshees of the seas broke lose.

******
Sounds like a great read! You can get a copy of Till Life do us Part at Amazon and B&N. While you're there, check out Carmen's other book, Shadows of the Past.

Well friends, I hope you enjoyed this weeks post and you'll join me each week for Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlight and Tuesday Treasures.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Fall #RomanticTravel with Linda O'Connor

Good Morning!

It's that time again...time for sharing romantic travel ideas and Tuesday Treasures. Luckily we're combining the two today.

Linda O'Connor is new to me and therefore, new to our blog so without much further ado, let's get to know her....

Linda O’Connor started writing a few years ago when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at HomeSense. It turns out she loves writing romantic comedies and has a few more stories to tell. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic (well, even when she is writing she’s a physician, and it shows up in her stories). She hangs out at www.lindaoconnor.net and the following SM places....

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LindaOConnor98

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA Blog: http://www.lindaoconnor.net/news-muse-and-interviews/

Now let' see what Linda's Fall Romantic Travel idea is....

What happened in Pompeii, Italy is tragic, but the glimpse into life almost 2000 years ago is truly breathtaking. 

From illuminating their streets with embedded reflective stone to heating their homes with flowing hot water to their complex city-wide water system, the city is a fascinating look at engineering at its finest. 

Sharing the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site is my idyllic romantic travel destination. 

Wow Linda, Pompeii sounds lovely! Putting it on my wish list.

Now let's find out about Linda's book.....

Falling in love is Perfectly Unpredictable …  

Kalia Beck always dreamed of starting a family, living in a house with a white picket fence, and finding her soul mate. Just not in that order. Kalia is coping with an unplanned pregnancy when she learns the father has passed away. She soon finds out that single parenthood isn’t easy, especially when the only thing that soothes the baby is the guitar-playing of a reluctant and reclusive next-door neighbor.

Mack Challen, lead guitarist in a rock and roll band, knows it takes a village to raise a child. He just doesn't think there's a village big enough to help “gay momma” and her screaming baby.

Kalia and Mack aren't looking for love and aren't ready for each other, but when the future unfolds, it’s … Perfectly Unpredictable.


Perfectly unpredictable moments touch your heart the most.

EXCERPT:

Kalia pounded on her neighbor’s front door with her free hand. The other cradled a screaming Mani. In the last fifteen days, except for the past three, the neighbor had played his guitar from six until eight every night. And soothed Mani. It was the only thing that worked to calm the colic. No amount of rocking, walking, or singing worked to soothe the baby like fifteen minutes of guitar music. It was faintly amazing and fairly irritating that Kalia had to depend on the neighbor’s guitar playing.

He was home. She knew he was home. There was a new car in the driveway, and she could hear voices. So why wasn’t he answering the door? She pounded again.

The door swung open, and Kalia yelped at the suddenness of it. Mani screamed louder.

Mack frowned at them. “What?” he asked tersely.

Kalia groaned inwardly. It was the first time she had seen the neighbor close up. Six foot two, short dark hair with a sexy scruff, broad shoulders in a dark T-shirt, slim hips covered in worn sexy jeans, bare feet, and angry green eyes. Great. Just what she needed. A pissed-off lifeline. “Hi. I live next door. I need you to play guitar,” she said in a rush above Mani’s wailing.

“What?” His eyebrows winged up, and he put his hands on his hips.

“Why aren’t you playing guitar? You play guitar every night at this time.”

He shook his head. “I have company.”

“Well, you’re very good at guitar. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind listening to it for a few minutes.” Mani screamed louder. Desperate, Kalia strode in, noting that the layout to his home was the same as hers. Getting a fleeting impression of dark colors and sparse furniture, she moved past him into the living room. “Hello,” she said to the gorgeous brunette curled up on the dark leather sofa. “Would you mind very much if . . . he,” she gestured vaguely, realizing that she wasn’t sure of his name, “played guitar for a few minutes? Just a few minutes. It won’t take long.”

Mack followed her in. “Renee, this is my neighbor, half of the gay couple that lives next door, and her screaming baby,” he said wryly.

Kalia’s eyebrows shot up. “Yup, that’s me. The lesbian from next door,” she said with some chagrin. Is that what the neighborhood thought? She was living under a rock. “And we just need a little guitar music if you don’t mind.” She spied two guitars leaning on stands across the room and waved in their direction. “Whichever works.” Time’s a wastin’.

Purchase Perfectly Unpredictable at Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed today's treasure / romantic travel idea and that we'll see you weekly for Thursday Thoughts, Tuesday Treasures and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Fall #RomanticTravel with Anita Philmar

Good Morning Friends!

Today we welcome Anita Philmar back to our blog, this time as part of the Fall Romantic Travel blog exchange.

Anita has been here several times in the past, for other blog exchanges so she is no stranger to us. Although her normal genre is erotic romance, today Anita and I are pleased to bring to your attention a brand new collection of sweet to sensual cowboy ghost stories.

Sounds like a whole other country right LOL!

Anyway without further ado....here's Anita....

I believe visiting wineries is a great way to have a short romantic escape. Almost every state has a few and most are affordable, running anywhere from free to $20 for a tasting.

While in Nebraska where McKee’s Ghost story takes place, I had a chance to visit a few. As you can see by the picture, it’s a great to unwind and relax.

~*~  ~*~  ~*~

Nebraska is certainly on my "to visit" list Anita!

Now let's find out a little more about Anita's contribution to this collection, The Good, The Bad and the Ghostly.....

Blurb for McKee’s Ghost

His fiancée called off their engagement after be accosted by a ghost in his house.

      

Now, a beautiful ghost detective has shown up at his ranch, saying his brother has hired her to take care of the unwanted spirit.

Konnor McKee is more than happy with PSI Agent Ruth Oliva Wilson. One look and he was hooked. Now, if he can only get some help from a ghost, he might be able to secure himself a bride after all.

With the return of his ex-fiancee, his life is turn upside down by an angry ghost, a vindictive woman and a sexy medium. Konnor doesn’t know which way to turn.

Can he get everyone out of this alive and marry the PSI Agent?

Or has he lost all hope of a happy future because of the ruthless ghost of one of his ancestors?   

Excerpt:

Somehow, Konnor must have realized her inability to stand. Because one minute, Ruth stood before him, the next he’d swept her up in his embrace. “My, but you are a tiny thing.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and worked to clear her vision while her head still spun in circles. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying you upstairs. A pint-sized woman like you must be exhausted from your trip. What time did you start out?” Konnor walked up the stairs without giving her a chance to demand that he release her.

Her gaze narrowed in on the strong column of his neck. The word determined joined the stubborn tag she’d used to describe him. Nonetheless, she appreciated his assistance. The ache in her feet eased, and she snuggled closer, letting his strength revive hers. Still the man was being awful forward. She needed to remind him she expected to be treated as a professional, not his lover. “I’m not exactly sure when the train left Omaha, they were running late.”

“Omaha?” He paused outside a doorway and released her legs. Her body swung against his. He tightened his hold on her waist and drew her into his chest. “That means you’ve been traveling all day.”

“Yes, after I got to Shelton. I managed to get a ride with a couple who let me off about two or three miles down the road from your house.” She recalled the older man and his wife. They had encouraged her to go home with them and pay a visit to Konnor tomorrow after she’d given herself an opportunity to rest. She smiled. “Mr. and Mrs. Stout. They said they didn’t live too far from here.”

“Yes, they have a place near my parents.” He continued to examine her. A frown formed on his mouth and brow, each leveling out into a straight line. “And I’m sure they stopped by there to tell them I have a visitor. Which means, we might have a problem when they find out you’re staying here alone with me.”

“Why? I’m here on assignment.” Ruth had run into this situation before and understood how her bunking at a client’s home inspired rumors. “It’s not like anything is going on between us. I’m a respected agent.”

He squeezed her tighter against his chest and lowered his head. His eyes alight with desire, he whispered against her lips, “Wrong. One look and I was smitten. Now, holding you in my arms, I’m ready—”

~*~  ~*~  ~*~

Hmmm....sounds pretty spicy to me! You can purchase The Good, The Bad and The Ghostly at Amazon.

Now let's find out a little more about Anita...

Anita Philmar likes to create stories that push the limit. A writer by day and a dreamer by night she wants her readers to see the world in a new way.

Influenced by old movies, she likes to develop places where anything can happen and where special moments come to life in a great read.

Naughty or Nice?

Read her books and decide.

Website:  http://www.anitaphilmar.com/

Blog: http://www.anitaphilmar.blogspot.com/

FB: www.facebook.com/anita.philmar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitaphilmar

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Anita-Philmar/e/B002BMBE8C

Well friends, hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll return weekly for Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlight and Tuesday Treasures!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight Fall #RomanticTravel with Rachelle Paige

Good Morning and Welcome to the first Saturday Spotlight in October!

I love meeting new authors and that's one reason I enjoy blog exchanges like Fall Romantic Travel.

Today's guest is brand new (to me and our blog) and I'm pleased to introduce her to you!

Rachelle stumbled into the world of romance novels in college; as a way to help speed up reading through Art History textbooks. After years in the professional world writing dry grant proposals and auction descriptions, she started writing the contemporary romance stories she wanted to read. Setting her books in some of her favorite destinations was her inspired way to require plenty of research trips every year with her family. 

Connect with Rachelle at her Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Facebook and Amazon.

 Let's see what Rachelle's Romantic Travel place is....

I love Georgia’s Golden Isles, the setting for this book

series. Jekyll Island is an especially romantic place with beautiful stretches of sandy beach begging for a lover’s stroll, bike paths galore perfect for bicycles built for two, and lodging at the Jekyll Island Club built by the millionaires of the Victorian Era.

Oh wow...I haven't been there yet but definitely adding the Georgia Golden Isles to my list of places to visit in the future!

Now about the book.....

Civil engineer Kim Meyers has built a solid career on establishing order in the midst of construction chaos. Living off the coast of Georgia as a Midwest transplant, she’s made a life for herself amidst the waves, tourists, and palm trees of the Golden Isles. Keeping her focus on her work and her community, she hasn’t had time to stop and consider how much she’s already lost. Until her former flame, Landon Beau IV, swoops in and snatches up her next project.

Excerpt: Clack clack clack, the head council member’s gavel slapped against the folding table bringing order back to the room. The hum of murmured conversations shared between the locals dimmed. Planning commissions meetings had grown into increasingly crowded affairs as development of St. Simons Island exploded.

Suddenly, a familiar set of aqua eyes caught her attention.

What on earth was he doing here?

A spark electrified her, shooting down her back and through her limbs. No one could instantly make her crackle with awareness like Landon Beau could. For some reason the sizzle had lasted for more than ten years.

Kim didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or scream or cry.

But today she couldn’t let him distract her from her mission. She understood what she had to do. She needed to help the Society of Coastal Living, aka SCL, to save the stretch of land on the north end of the island near her grandmother’s house. She wouldn’t rest until the island had no more room for development.

Control. Order. Efficiency.

She had to stay focused.

The council member cleared his throat to address the crowded room. “We will be moving forward with LB Holdings, granting a preliminary rezoning permit for a subdivision. They have proposed a development that meets all the necessary specifications and requirements, and this committee feels will be a benefit to the island.”

Her chest seized as the words reached her. She had failed. An even worse, she’d let down her Grandma Rose.

Her vision blurred. She didn’t see the council members conclude the meeting or her fellow volunteers from the SCL get up and leave. The scrape of metal folding chairs being dragged against the floor echoed in her ears drowning out all other sounds.

LB Holdings would be tearing apart the land just down the street from Grandma Rose. Her quality of life would be destroyed. The rumble of trucks and crash of machinery would become a constant soundtrack for the next year on Grandma Rose’s wraparound porch, blocking out the sounds of the marsh. And the reward at the end would be a congested nightmare to get to and from her grandmother’s home. How could she have let her best friend down?

Why hadn’t she pushed harder? Why hadn’t she gone door to door to get support? Why hadn’t she done more?

Questions and regrets circled in her mind, keeping her gaze hazy and unfocused until a warm palm on her shoulder suddenly made her flinch. She jerked her hands up to a defensive position, palms out in front of her face, and then froze.

Standing before her, he was impossibly handsome with his chiseled features and sandy blonde hair styled without a strand out of place. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Her gaze drifted to his lips, transfixed by the easy smile that made his mouth off-center.

*****

Sounds like a good one! Purchase Coastal Erosion at Amazon.

Well friends, hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll join me each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time...take care and God Bless.

PamT