#SaturdaySpotlight: #RockingSummerRomance with Kim Iverson Headlee!

Good Morning and welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight. Today we are featuring another Rocking Summer Romance read, The Challenge, by Kim Iverson Headlee....

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – The Challenge

SERIES – The Dragon's Dove Chronicles

AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee

GENRE – Historical Fantasy w/Romantic Elements

PUBLICATION DATE – 7/11/2015

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 24 pages/6K words

PUBLISHER – Pendragon Cove Press

COVER ARTIST – Natasha Brown

BOOK SYNOPSIS

The gauntlet is thrown. One must die. Refusal is not an option.

Arthur the High King of Breatein has fallen captive of a longtime enemy, the Saxon warrior-princess Camilla, who lusts to avenge the death of her betrothed at Gyan’s hands and will stop at nothing, even the black arts, to achieve her goal. Because Gyan and Arthur have grown estranged, she fears that Arthur may side with Camilla and make her his new queen.

To meet Camilla’s challenge, Gyan must face all her demons—public as well as private.

BUY & TBR LINKS

WORLDWIDE AMAZON KINDLE LINK – http://getBook.at/The_Challenge_by_KIH_Kindle (Kindle Unlimited)

GOODREADS – forthcoming

EXCERPT

With a shudder Gyan recalled the rumor that Camilla had enlisted demonic aid…

She banished those thoughts, and their attendant fears, by pondering the irony that Camilla had tried to strike at her through Arthur. It might have worked, once. The passion that had colored the early years of their marriage was still celebrated in song throughout Breatein and Caledon.

These days, she wasn’t singing.

AUTHOR BIO

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 mid-twentieth century—seem to be sticking around for a while yet.

Kim is a Seattle native and a direct descendent of twentieth-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim’s novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband’s ancestor, the seventh-century proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia.

For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon’s Dove Chronicles, and other novels clamoring for attention. She has been a published novelist since 1999, beginning with the original editions of Dawnflight (Sonnet Books, Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0671020412) and Liberty (writing as Kimberly Iverson, HQN Books, Harlequin, ISBN 0373771347).

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

ABOUT.ME PAGE – https://about.me/kimheadlee

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

AUTHORGRAPH AUTHOR PAGE – https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/KimHeadlee

WEBSITE  – http://kimheadlee.com

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

Street Team “Kim’s All-Stars” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/705479912880602/

TWITTER – https://twitter.com/KimHeadlee

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

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

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

BLOG – http://kimiversonheadlee.blogspot.com

TRIBERR PROFILE – http://triberr.com/KimHeadlee

ARTHURVERSE TRIBERR TRIBE – http://triberr.com/pages/tribe-overview.php?tid=61110

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

NEWSLETTER

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

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

#TuesdayTreasure: Last #RockingSummerRomance: #Summer'sGrowth by @AuthorTinaGayle

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to the final Rocking Summer Romance Read blog post. This week we end with another book by the same lady we began with....Tina Gayle and her book, Summer's Growth!

I asked Tina some questions about her writing process....

Which comes first, characters or plot?  Most of the time plot or open scene comes first.

Plotter, Panster, or somewhere in between?  Trying my best to become a plotter but I find I'm somewhere in between

What is the one question you wish interviewers would ask (answer)

Among those that you’ve written, which is your favorite book and why? 

Summer's Growth because I wrote while trying to recover from the loss of my mother. In many ways, it felt as if she helps me write it.

Find out more about Tina by visiting her Website, Blog, Facebook page. She is also on Good Reads, Google+, Twitter @AuthorTinaGayle and LinkedIn!

Forced by the family spirits to get a life, Mattie Winston has to train her replacement Amber Harrison to be in charge of all the workings of the Winston estate. Reluctant to make changes in her life, Mattie forms a bond with Amber, when strange accidents start happening which threaten their lives and an unknown ghost makes an appearance.

After being rescued by an old flame, Quincy Miller, Mattie faces old wounds of rejection. As the general contractor for Amber’s redecoration project, Mattie is in constant contact with Quincy and realizes she still in love with her childhood sweetheart.

Amber, learning her new role in the family, wants to discover the identity of the ghost who keeps appearing. After several appearances, Gwen, Amber’s distance grandmother, shifts the book into more of Amber’s struggle to find out why her grandmother disappeared two hundred years ago without a trace. In a fight to claim her position in the family, Amber searches for clues to solve the mystery.

Mattie and Amber are both challenged when the family spirits decides Amber shouldn’t be the keeper. Battling for Amber, Mattie realizes she wants a life with Quincy outside the Winston estate.

Amber realized the importance of her new spiritual family, and she works to discover how Gwen died.

Can these two women achieve their goals?


Read the first chapter at http://www.tinagayle.net/SGchapter.html Find at www.smashwords.com www.amazon.com

Excerpt:

Standing by the bay window in the front room, Mattie watched the car approach. Her new recruit’s arrival had goose bumps popping out on Mattie’s skin, adding to her anxieties.

She wanted to run, but instead glanced at the kindhearted spirit of Opal, her distant grandmother. Dressed in her best early American gown, the many layers of her petticoat swished with a soft hiss when she moved.

“There’s no reason to be nervous. Once you meet Amber, you’ll see she caps the climax,” Opal voiced in a soothing tone. “Your Aunt Rachel is absolutely thrilled to have a descendant from her branch of the family as keeper.”

Looking beyond her at the rest of the room, Mattie searched for the other members of the family council. They always offered her their support when she faced a big decision. Yet, today they were conspicuously absent.

“Don’t worry. The whole family is behind you. We just thought it better if we didn’t all hover.”      

Shifting from foot to foot, she wrung her hands together. A simple process of a changing of the guard for them, Amber’s arrival marked the end of the life Mattie loved.

The beautiful spirits around her didn’t understand how cruel humans could be to each other. What if she screwed up and the girl left? Or the girl hated living with a house full of spirits?

Unease pricked at Mattie’s mind. She had no experience in dealing with strangers. All her business associates understood her likes and didn’t force her to attend any social events.

A quick glance out the window, and a car rounded the fountain. She wasn’t prepared to entertain Amber. How could she be? She never invited guests to the estate.

“Now, Pumpkin, there’s no need to worry. It’s time another branch of the family realize what a pain it is to be keeper.” Opal smiled, offering her special form of reassurance. “We’re all here to help with the transition.”

The high notes of Beethoven’s Fifth sprang from the piano. Mattie jumped in surprise at the sudden noise. She whipped around to see Uncle Samuel, the artist of the family, standing next to the piano.

“The game is afoot.” He arched his eyebrows and grinned, then disappeared.

“I’d better leave.” Her aunt patted Mattie’s shoulder. “Just remember, the girl is uneasy too.”

Opal disappeared.

With a deep breath, Mattie turned and gripped the cold metal knob in her hand.

Soon her home would belong to a stranger, and then what would she do?

Get Summer's Growth at: Amazon (Kindle), Smashwords, B&N (NOOK), Kobo & Apple.

Hope you enjoyed the Rocking Summer Romance blog hop. If you missed any, you can find them on my Pinterest board! Also, the authors in this promo group will be doing a #FallingintoLove blog hop. I may not be able to post many because my Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights are filled through the rest of this year, but I will be tweeting the posts and pinning the books to my Falling Into Love pinterest board, so find and follow me!

Until later....take care, God Bless and remember.... What you believe in your heart & confess with your mouth you create in your life!

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

#TuesdayTreasure: #RockingSummerRomance with Linda McLaughlin

Good Morning!

Today's Tuesday Treasure is another Rocking Summer Romance read with Linda McLaughlin!

Linda McLaughlin grew up with a love of books and history, so it's only natural she prefers writing historical romance. She loves transporting her readers into the past where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the sweetest reward. Linda also writes steamy to erotic romance under the name Lyndi Lamont, and is one half of the writing team of Lyn O'Farrell.

You can find her online at http://lindalyndi.com

Blog: http://lindalyndi.com/reading-room-blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaMcLaughlinAuthor

Twitter: @Lyndi Lamont https://twitter.com/LyndiLamont

Linda Answers Tina Gayle's Summer Romance Questions! 

Ice Tea or Lemonade? 

Iced coffee

Lake or ocean? 

Ocean

Sandals or Flipflops? 

Sandals

Sit in the shadow of a tree or on the front/back porch? 

Tree since we don’t have many porches in southern California

Ball cap or floppy hat? 

Floppy hat

I had a few questions for Linda too....

Q: Which comes first, characters or plot?

A: Characters, always.

Q: Plotter, Panster, or somewhere in between?

A: Somewhere in between. I’ve heard it called being a Puzzler.

Q: Among those that you’ve written, which is your favorite book and why?

A: Rogue’s Hostage is my favorite. It’s the most personal, in a couple of ways. The first half is set in the area of Pittsburgh, PA., my home town. It’s also the book I was writing when my mother died, and when I finished, I realized that the heroine, Mara, is much like my mother. I just wish she had lived long enough to read the book. 

Q: Have your characters ever taken over the story and moved it in a direction totally different than you had in mind? What did you do?

A: Sometimes that happens, and sometimes it’s a good thing. If not, I have to rein them in. Most often it’s one of the secondary characters trying to take over the book.

Q: Do you have a "must have" book for writing?

A: Every book requires different research, but my baby name books are always needed. I especially like the ones that include historical and ethnic background information.

Now about the book....

Worth The Risk By Lyn O’Farrell (the writing team of Anne Farrell and Linda McLaughlin) Short Contemporary Romance Children's librarian Amanda Lloyd values privacy above all else. Three years ago her wedding ended in disaster when her groom was arrested at the altar and the story of the 'Embezzler's Bride' appeared in the supermarket tabloids. The experience has left her determined to avoid being caught in the public eye again. Until she meets a sexy single dad with a scandalous past.

Ex-racer Mitch Delaney is a public figure whose life has been plastered across the tabloids more than once. But he believes that anything worth doing is worth a risk. After the death of his ex-wife, he moved to Southern California to take care of his son Josh. He doesn't need the complication of a woman in his life, especially since Josh's grandparents have filed suit for custody. But Josh is on the hunt for a new mother and he has his heart set on Miss Amanda, and Mitch can't fault his son's taste.

Against her better judgment, Amanda finds herself falling for both of the Delaney men. When she agrees to accompany Mitch to a high-profile movie premiere, they draw the attention of the tabloids. Overnight Amand'a private affair becomes very public, threatening her job and Mitch's custody suit. She's waited twenty-eight years for the right man. But will happiness come at too high a price?

(Previously published as Private Affair, Kensington Precious Gem #121) Golden Heart Finalist, Short Contemporary category Buy links HTML: Amazon Kindle,
Apple iBooks,
BN/Nook,
Kobo, and
Smashwords

Excerpt:

His head was nestled in her lap. Amanda gently smoothed back the hair that had tumbled into his eyes. He sighed contentedly and gazed at her with soulful blue eyes.

"You really are a love," she murmured. "I can't imagine why I was ever nervous around you."

The living room was quiet now, except for the soft crackling of the fire. Shadows played on the walls as the flames danced in the fireplace. Dinner was over, the kitchen cleaned up, and Josh was upstairs asleep. It was the first really relaxing moment Amanda had had all day.

"Is that mutt bothering you?" Mitch asked as he stepped into the room.

"No, we've been getting acquainted." She smiled and scratched Albert behind the ears. He looked up at her adoringly. Then, as if aware that three was a crowd, he sauntered over to the fireplace and flopped down with a large sigh.

"Never thought I'd actually be jealous of a dog," Mitch muttered, sitting down on the couch next to her.

Amanda laughed. "But he's the sweetest thing."

Mitch murmured his agreement, then said, "You're sweet, too."

She cocked an eyebrow at him.

"For tutoring Josh, I mean," he said quickly.

"There's nothing sweet about that. I expect to be paid the going rate for my efforts."

"You will be," he assured her, putting an arm around her shoulders. "In fact, there may even be a bonus in it." He leaned closer, a teasing gleam in his eyes.

"What kind of a bonus did you have in mind?" Amanda knew she shouldn't have asked when his look changed to one of desire.

Pulling her closer, he rubbed his thumb along her lower lip and her lips parted instinctively. She looked deeply into his eyes and saw a new tenderness she hadn't seen before. Her body ached in anticipation as he continued caressing her mouth and gazing at her from hooded eyes that promised a world of pleasure in their blue depths.

Hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure/Rocking Summer Romance! Stay tuned for more Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

Until later....Take care & God Bless!
PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: #RockingSummerRomance with Anita Philmar!

Good Morning Friends,

Well we're into the home stretch of the Rocking Summer Romance blog hop. Only 2 more weeks then on to other Tuesday Treasures.

Today's guest is Anita Philmar with her book, In Too Deep....

In Too Deep was recently released and is the second half of "In Deep Water." These two stories start with two women just trying to cool off on a hot summer day in Texas. They have no idea how hot things are going to get for them.

On the banks of the Trinity River, Sadie Pepperman is looking for a chance to escape the demands of her in-laws. With her husband’s dead, they want her to marry her brother-in-law so they can take control of her farm.

Suddenly, the peace of the day is shattered when her best friend steps too far into the river. Rushing to save her, Sadie meets a handsome stranger that ignites her dormant lust. She sees her friend rescued by a steamship and backs away from Logan Jansen, only to turn her ankle.

The agonizing pain leaves Sadie with the inability to walk. Needing help, she offers Logan a place to stay if he’ll help with the chores on her farm. With his agreement, Sadie adds another problem to her list. Now, not only does she have to worry about how to bring her crops in from the field and run her farm alone but she also has to fight her attraction to Logan.

 Can Sadie end her in-laws’ interference in her life, run her farm alone, and give love another chance?

As a gift to celebrate my new release, you can download "In Deep Water" for free from Smashword by using the code LD34L

Smashword https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/349429

 Blurb for "In Deep Water" 

 Skinny-dipping to cool off in the Trinity River couldn’t cause any problem...could it?

Wading into the water, Carolyn Evans takes one step too far and finds herself neck¬deep in the river and fighting for her life.

After saving Carolyn from drowning, Zack Goodman is trapped in an awkward situation when they’re both rescued by a steamboat and hauled on deck.

Naked and embarrassed, Carolyn is quick to save them from humiliation and claims they are married.

Will Zack release her from her claim of matrimony? Or will he teach her once words are spoken...they are not so easily retracted?

 Purchase In Too Deep at Smashwords or Amazon 

 Have a wonderful day and I hope you enjoy my books,

 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 sci-fi programs, she likes to develop places where anything can happen and where erotic moments come to life in a great read.

Naughty or Nice?

Read her books and decide.

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

Email: anitaphilmar@yahoo.com

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

FB: www.facebook.com/anita.philmar

GR: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1329767.Anita_Philmar

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anitaphilmar

Hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure! Stay tuned for more Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight!

Until later....take care & God Bless!

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: #RockingSummerRomance with Lori (LA) Remenicky!

Good Morning and Welcome to the first Tuesday Treasure in September!

Wow...summer is fading and we're heading into fall. The days are already getting shorter but we still have a few weeks of Rocking Summer Romance reads for you!

This week, I'm hosting LA Remenicky with her book Invisible

L.A. Remenicky is a forty-something wife and mother of three fur kids. She has been an avid reader as long as she can remember. She used to disappear with a book when it was time to do dishes or clear the table.
She reads all genres, but her favorites are romance and horror. She started out reading Nancy Drew and quickly graduated to adult romances. Her favorite romance is "Moonraker's Bride" by Madeline Brent.

Her favorite author is Stephen King - She loves how he can weave a story and characters together.

She only started writing recently after thinking about it for years, signing up for NANOWRIMO in 2012 and winning.

Find out more about LA Remenicky and her "Romance With A Twist" by visiting her Facebook page, Blog, Twitter  @Remenickywrites and Google, GoodReads & Amazon!

They found each other. Then the killer found them.


Detective Jackson “Jax” McKenna walks into a psychologist’s office and finds that the doctor bears a striking resemblance to his first love, Lainie, who disappeared ten years ago after their disastrous first date ended in violence.


Dr. Elizabeth Parker is really Elaine Wilson, Jax’s Lainie. She’s been in hiding since the night that changed both their lives. Jax discovers the truth when the killer lets Lainie know he’s found her. When Jax and Lainie go on the run to keep Lainie safe, old feelings resurface as the killer threatens their lives. Can Jax save Lainie and help her stay Invisible?

Excerpt: 
“Dr. Parker? Your four o’clock appointment is here.” Sheila’s announcement made me jump and when I looked at the clock, I realized how much time had passed while I was deep in thought. This was the last appointment of the week, and I was ready for a couple of days off to unwind.

I shuffled the papers on my desk and found the new patient file I’d been reading when Sheila called. The file included official documents from police department internal affairs for a psychological evaluation. I’ve seen several of these orders over the years. It’s protocol whenever an active officer is wounded in the line of duty and is required before they’re allowed to return to work. I reached for the folder and pressed the intercom button. “Sheila, please send him in as soon as he’s filled out the insurance paperwork. Thank you.”

Sheila knew to give me a few extra minutes to allow time to limp to the conversation area to set the stage and sit in my customary spot. I preferred not to begin sessions with the inevitable questions about my own disability. The people who came to see me were in need of my expertise and compassion. It was all about their healing, not mine.

The name on the file folder, J. McKenna, gave me a chill. He was wounded in the line of duty, shot by a bank robbery suspect. Seeing the name reminded me of where I came from and why I was in hiding. I pushed the memories down. I’m not that person anymore. That person doesn’t exist. It wasn’t necessary to touch the locket underneath my sweater as a reminder, but it had become a nervous habit. The locket was the only thing I kept from that life.

The door opened, and Sheila showed my patient in and as my eyes met his, my heart stopped for what seemed like hours. After reading the file, I was afraid of this. How many Jackson McKennas could there be? The hair is shorter, and the face is older, but it’s him, I would know those eyes anywhere. Jackson McKenna. He was my first love and indirectly the reason I have to use a cane to walk farther than across the room.

I cleared my throat and stood, reaching out to shake his hand as I would with any new patient, hoping he didn’t recognize me.

“I’m Dr. Parker. Please make yourself comfortable, Officer McKenna, and we can get started.”

When I realized his right arm was in a sling, I dropped mine back to my side. I picked up my notepad and pen, hoping he didn’t see the way my hands were shaking.

“It’s actually Detective, not Officer.”

He sat on the couch across from me and looked at me with those hazel eyes that have haunted my dreams for ten years, and then he shook his head.

“You remind me of someone I used to know a long time ago.”

Ooooohhh I like it already!

Invisible can be found at Amazon, Amazon UK, B&N, Paperback, Createspace or Add it to your Goodreads TBR List!

Well Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed this Rocking Summer Romance on Tuesday Treasures! Stay tuned for more great Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights!

Until later... Take care & God Bless!

PamT

"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

#TuesdayTreasure: #RockingSummerRomanceRead with Joan Simon @JoanBSimon

Good Morning from Bandera, TX!

Yes, I am back at my home-away-from-home, the Silver Spur Guest Ranch! Just came up for a visit this week and am so happy and grateful for the friends I have here!

Today's guest, Joan Simon visited us with her book, Long Time Walk on Water here on June 28th but she's back with another great excerpt during our Rocking Summer Romance blog hop!

So without much further ado.....Here's Joan....

Joan Barbara Simon (Ph.D.); novelist, poetess, songwriter. Lecturer. Researcher. Trouble-maker. I write about dissent, the negotiation of the Self, the mutation from innocence to experience and  the brittle beauty of human relationships. Above all, my fiction is an appeal for tolerance and a homage to all who live their individuality with their head held high. Connect with Joan at the following links...joan-barbara-simon.com  facebook twitter 

Emily Thompson, Rose to her friends, emigrates to the motherland, England, in search of a better life. It will be hard work for the young mother in this rich man’s country; above all she must also come to terms with this unknown phenomenon; di Hinglish dem.

James Dunbar. Jack is what he answers to. Picking his way through the mucky incidents of life, he consoles himself that things will get better.

They happen to meet at a bus-stop, Emily and Jack.

A tale of how the humble live whilst waiting for their dreams to come true.

*

Letters were read and written with relish. In the novel they provide further glimpses of an Outsider view of England:

London, April —, 19—

Dear Junie,

How are you? I’m sure you are fine and One-foot is fine. I hope Marlene is fine and Leroy is fine. Give them my love.

I cross over safely. England is very cold. It’s raining all the time and there’s no good sunshine. With weather like this the people bound to be miserable. I already miss Jamaica. The address I had is correct when I get to England. The houses are really small and squash up together. Never mind. A roof is a roof. I am so tired after the journey, but I think, let me sit down and let you know I reach safe. Tomorrow I must go and look work. London is so big there must be work for everyone. As you know I have a job promised to me. I hope him don’t forget. You know how them say the streets of London are paved with gold, well, there’s not one word of truth in it. But I hope all the same that things work out how I planned and that I don’t come here for nothing.

Hear this. I get off the plane go to customs or immigrations or something like that. Him ask me, is this your passport? What a stupid question! Me say, of course is me passport. Whose passport it suppose to be? Hear him; it could belong to anybody for all he know, we all look the same. I glad One-foot wasn’t there or him would box off him facety head. Generally the white people friendly enough. So many of them stop and ask me if they can help me at the airport. I didn’t know what to do. All I had was the slip of paper with the address. Some of them look at me a bit funny but is ignorant them ignorant. One woman take me to the taxi and tell the taxi driver me is a friend so him not to drive no long route but take me direct. Me nearly die laughing! The English taxi them peculiar you see! Big and black like a bug and you got room for a whole heap a luggage in the back with you. Them even got one clapdown seat if is more people. We drive a long long time before we get to London. Them got one big red bus them call double-decker. Take you everywhere you want to go, the taxi driver tell me. The taxi driver nosey you see! Him want to know where me come from and how long me going to stay. I just smile and tell him little bit. You can’t be unfriendly. Tell One-foot I still got my head.

I am very tired and I’m going to sleep a little bit. I will write you soon. I’m surprised, I see quite a few black faces here in London. Say hello to everybody for me and let them know I reach safe.

Junie, Marlene, Leroy, One-foot, goodbye and God bless.

Yours,

Rose.

Rose Thompson, the protagonist, epitomizes the strong, funny, suspicious nature of the Outsider daring to go for a new life in a foreign country. She epitomizes the strength of dreams. She’ll reveal to us a lot about how the Jamaican family works and although she'd never use the word feminist it’s still true to say that she is all about independence, equality and betterment.

(Joan Barbara Simon, interviewed by Sezoni Whitfield for Writer’s Kaboodle)

If you, too, enjoyed reading this, here’s where you can read more:

Waterstones    Barnes & Noble   The Book Depository   Smashwords

Amazon US   Amazon UK   Amazon France    Amazon Germany  

#SaturdaySpotlight: Ashley York & The Saxon Bride

Good Morning from Nacgodoches, TX!

Yep I'm visiting with my son today and tomorrow I will be Bandera bound for a week of visiting friends at my home away from home LOL!

But today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Ms. Ashley York with her book The Saxon Bride.

Always an avid romance reader herself, Ashley York enjoys bringing history to life through vibrant and meaningful characters, writing historical romance novels full of passion and intrigue set in the 11th and 12th century British Isles. Her newest release, The Saxon Bride, is the first in the Norman Conquest series.

When she is not writing, talking about writing, or thinking about writing, Ashley relaxes with visits to the local pubs listening to live Celtic tunes. She lives in southern New England with her husband and 3 very spoiled animals.

Find out more about Ashley by visiting her Website.

About the Book...

In war torn England the battle lines between Saxon and Norman are clearly drawn. The Saxons must fight for everything they have in the hopes of winning their country back from the Normans who are determined to break their resistance. 

Rowena Godwinson, the sole remaining member of the defeated royal family, stands proudly against the Normans that would trample them underfoot but her nobility and grace make her an ideal pawn in the Norman King William’s play for power with the Saxon people. When he decrees she marry a powerful Norman knight, her subjugation appears to be complete. The handsome soldier with the kind brown eyes and gentle touch is a threat to her determination to defy the interlopers. Can she hold firm to her Saxon heritage and refuse to give in to his advances?

John of Normandy wants only to prove himself worthy of the king's trust. He is rewarded for his service and loyalty with land, titles and a Saxon beauty for a bride. John balks at the marriage, driven by the secret guilt of knowing Rowena's father died by his sword. However, John's reluctance is soon replaced by a burning desire to please this woman and win her over as well as her people.

 As their people look to them for guidance and peace, can John and Rowena find a love that unites all of England?

Excerpt: Pacing the small area like a confined animal, she finally paused to look out the window. The dreary day reflected her feelings, rain threatening at any moment. "Do you know when my husband will be returning?"

"I am back now."

John stood in the doorway handsomely dressed as befit the new Lord of Essex. Rowena's breath caught in her throat. She looked away before the immense pleasure she felt at his return showed on her face.

Joan quickly gathered her sewing and removed herself from the room, closing the door behind her.

"Will you attend me, my lady?"

Rowena went to him and helped him remove his surcoat before seeing to the heavier chainmail. He smelled like horses and leather. Manly. Rowena tried not to close her eyes as she drank in the intoxicating smell of him. Why would a dirty, sweaty man make her feel so light headed? She stepped away when she realized why, the chainmail slipping forward off his arms. His hooded eyes told her that he knew what she was feeling.

"Is there a problem?" His deep voice seemed to reverberate through her body.

Quickly putting the heavy material down, she headed to the door. "I will order a bath for you."

"Wait."

Rowena froze with her hand on the latch and heard him coming closer to her. He stood close behind her, his breath soft against her cheek.

"Yes?" Be done with this. Her body yearned for his arms to pull her against him, to feel his kiss again. She licked her lips.

"Why are you leaving in such a hurry?" His hand lightly touched the side of her head as he spoke, pushing her hair away from her face. He leaned in closer to her exposed ear. A responding shiver ran down her body. "Are you afraid of me?"

She backed up to the door with a thud and faced him. Her pulse was racing as she lied. "No, my lord. Methinks you have a rather strong odor about you and I would have you take a bath before the evening meal."

John backed away quickly, his eyes flying open. "I am sorry if I offend you. Please see to the bath."

Rowena felt only slightly guilty when he turned away from her, standing like a lost little boy in the middle of the room.

Wow...sounds like a great romance! 

The Saxon Bride can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle along with Ashley's other book, The Bruised Thistle which is also available in Print and on Kindle! 

Well Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed meeting Ashley! Stay tuned next week for more Rocking Summer Romance on Tuesday Treasure as well as Thursday Thoughts and of course another Saturday Spotlight!

Until later.... take care, God Bless and remember..... Perfect love casts out fear – ask God to fill your heart and mind with Himself who IS perfect love

 Something to think about!

"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

#TuesdayTreasure: Fallen Leaves Another #RockingSummerRomance by Tina Gayle!

Good Morning Friends!

Well August is moving right along as is the Rocking Summer Romance blog hop. Today I'm pleased to bring Tina Gayle back today with another of her books....

As autumn comes to the Winston estate in Ohio, Amber Harrison learns further lessons in her new position as keeper for the spirits and ghosts who haunt the estate--and further lessons in love, too. She and her love, Carter Miller, grapple with the fears and passions of new love, while caught up in the storm of ancient family drama.

This is the second book in the unfolding saga of the psychics and talents associated with the Winston estate, a sheltered place where past, present, and future are woven into a single dramatic tapestry of love and desire. The tale spans multiple generations, multiple eras, and offers something special for all ages of reader. A sexy, erotic winner, with an assortment of couples to appeal to most tastes.

Excerpt:

“How long before you install the new cabinets?”

He turned on the ladder. His dark brown eyes captured her, engulfing her in an encompassing warmth. She melted under his heated gaze, which ran from the top of her head to the white socks on her feet. He lifted a brow at her attire, but he didn’t comment on her pink sweat suit.

“With the old cabinets out of the way, I need to knock down this wall and tear up the flooring. The electrical work is next on the agenda.” He climbed off the ladder, yanked off his gloves, and slid a hand through his thick, wavy hair.

“It might be awhile before we install the new cabinets. Right now, we’re simply working to remove the old stuff so we can start fresh.” He smiled, which didn’t hide the dark circles under his eyes or the fatigue in the slump of his shoulders.

“There’s no hurry. If you’re busy with something else, this can wait until your Dad and Mattie come home next week.”

“No, Dad doesn’t want her dealing with this mess.” Carter unbuckled his tool belt and placed it on a workbench. “I promised him I’d have it done.”

“Is Grant helping?” Amber stepped around several pieces of sheetrock and stray bits of wood, to the bottom of the stairs.

He walked to the backdoor. “Friday, his classes are over at noon.”

With his hand resting on the doorknob, he appeared anxious to leave. “I’m headed to lunch, and then I need to drop by the office for a while. Are you sure you’re okay here by yourself?”

Amber toyed with the idea of saying no. She missed the taste of his lips and the strength of his arms, but she nodded instead. “Yes, I’m fine.”

After opening the door, he paused. “I guess I’ll see you later.”

She waved and turned to head to her room, satisfied she’d at least gotten him to talk. Her leaden feet trudged up the steps. Unexcited, she contemplated her latest assignment from the family council. How could she achieve such an impossible task of convincing her great grandmother’s ghost to cross over?

Purchase Fallen Leaves at Amazon or Smashwords & All Romance Ebooks  

Now a little about Tina....

Tina Gayle grew up a dreamer and loved to escape into the world of books.

After years of working in the business world doing a variety of jobs, she decided to try her hand at writing and hope to incorporate the joy of being a mother into her books.

Currently working on a series about four executive wives, she is excited about combining elements of women fiction with the passion of romance. The first three books have been released and the last one is coming out in 2014.

She’s  also started a paranormal romantic mystery series called the Family Tree series. With a family of spirits guiding the lives of their keeper, Amber has a number of tasks to accomplished like solving a two hundred year old mystery.

Married twenty-five years, she and her husband love to travel and play golf.  She can’t wait for Mike to retire so they can do more of both.

Read the first chapter of any of her books by visiting her website.

Find Tina everywhere!

Home - www.tinagayle.net
Blog - www.tinagayle.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorTinaGayle
Goodread - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1641826.Tina_Gayle
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/tina.gayle
Google + - https://plus.google.com

Linkin - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tina-gayle/11/689/759

I asked Tina a few questions....

Which comes first, characters or plot?  Most of the time plot or open scene comes first. 

Plotter, Panster, or somewhere in between?  Trying my best to become a plotter but I find I'm somewhere in between

What is the one question you wish interviewers would ask (answer)

My favorite question - Among those that you’ve written, which is your favorite book and why? 

Summer's Growth because I wrote while trying to recover from the loss of my mother. In many ways, it felt as if she helps me write it.

Well friends, hope you enjoyed this Rocking Summer Romance read and interview! Stay tuned as the blog hop will continue through Sept 23rd!

Until next time...take care and Be Blessed!

PamT