#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  

#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

#TuesdayTreasure: @KimHeadlee #RockingSummerRomance!

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Treasure and another Rocking Summer Romance read!

Today's guest is Kim Headlee with her book, Snow in July.......

Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre has been granted what every man wants: a rich English estate in exchange for his valiant service at the Battle of Hastings. To claim this reward, the Norman knight must wed the estate's Saxon heiress. Most men would leap at such an opportunity, but for Alain, who broke his vow to his dying mother by failing to protect his youngest brother in battle, it means facing more easily broken vows. But when rumors of rampant thievery, dangerous beasts, and sorcery plaguing a neighboring estate reach his ears, nothing will make him shirk duty to king and country when people's lives stand at risk. He assumes the guise of a squire to scout the land, its problems, and its lady.

Lady Kendra of Edgarburh has been granted what no woman wants: a forced marriage to an enemy who may be kith or kin to the man who murdered her beloved brother. Compounding her anguish is her failure to awaken the miraculous healing gift bequeathed by their late mother in time to save his life. Although with his dying breath, he made her promise to seek happiness above all, Kendra vows that she shall find neither comfort nor love in the arms of a Norman…unless it snows in July.

Alain is smitten by Lady Kendra from the first moment of their meeting; Kendra feels the forbidden allure of the handsome and courtly Norman "squire." But a growing evil overshadows everyone, invoking dark forces and ensnaring Kendra in a plot to overthrow the king Alain is oath-bound to serve. Kendra and Alain face a battle unlike any other as their honor, their love, their lives, and even their very souls lie in the balance.

EXCERPT

FIFTEEN THOUSAND MEN and horses writhed across the valley below, appearing as toys in a children’s game.

Many might consider war a game, but Sir Robert Alain de Bellencombre, knight of Normandy bound to the service of Duke William and commander of a unit in the cavalry reserves, did not number among their ranks.

Edward the Confessor, King of England via his Saxon father but Norman by his mother, was dead. This battle, raging near the coastal hamlet called Hastings, would decide the right of one man to wear the English crown: William the Norman, acknowledged by Pope Alexander to be Edward’s lawful successor; or Harold the Saxon, brother of Edward’s wife, the man alleged to be Edward’s deathbed choice.

Stroking his war horse’s glossy charcoal neck to calm her, Alain pondered Harold’s claim. It had to be true. This many men would not sacrifice their lives for a lie. Yet the vast majority of Harold’s supporters were Saxons harboring no wish to bear the Norman yoke. Perhaps such men might be desperate enough to fight for a lie that promised to restore Saxon rule.

A trumpet blared. He signaled his men forward, couched his lance, and spurred Chou to send her careening into the melee.

Harold’s shield wall, which had seemed impregnable, began to crumble under the onslaught of Alain’s unit, hastened by the desertion of men who no doubt decided they weren’t quite so willing to die. Their lord stood exposed just long enough for a Norman archer to sight his mark. Harold fell, screaming and clutching an arrow that protruded from one eye.

Harold’s supporters closed ranks around him, blocking Alain’s view and giving him more than enough to do as the Saxons redoubled their efforts to guard their lord’s body.

A familiar whirl of colors caught Alain’s attention. The saffron leopard prowling on a green field—Étienne! A Saxon knight, with a blue arm and fist blazing defiance across his gray shield, bore down upon Étienne with leveled lance. Étienne tumbled from his horse. He scrambled to his feet and retrieved his sword, putting it to good use on the Saxons surrounding him, although the knight who’d unhorsed him had already ridden in search of other targets.

Lance long since discarded and sword now rising and falling with fatal precision, Alain surged to reach his brother’s side. Protection of her youngest son had been their dying mother’s wish, and he had sworn on his own life to keep Étienne safe.

Before he could close the distance, another Saxon knight fought past Étienne’s guard to thrust a war-knife into his throat. Through the visor the knight’s eyes gleamed with startling, fathomless malice. Alain could only watch in stunned disbelief as he laid his hand upon Étienne’s chest for a few moments. Uttering a soul-freezing howl, the Saxon yanked out his seax and disappeared into the press with Étienne’s shield, denying Alain vengeance.

Shame and grief rent his heart asunder.

He had failed the two he loved most; failed them so utterly that he could never beg their forgiveness in this lifetime.

Pain slammed into his shoulder, toppling him from the saddle. Étienne’s body broke his fall. He tried to roll clear, but a spear through his chest pinned him to Étienne. His gut convulsed, and bile burned his throat. Blinding agony killed his struggle to free himself. Death’s stench invaded his nostrils.

He closed his eyes and waited for his final journey to begin.

Snow in July can be purchased at the following places....

Amazon Kindle US – Amazon Kindle CA – Amazon Kindle UK – Amazon Paperback – B&N Nook – 

B&N Paperback – Smashwords – iTunes

About Kim.....

Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, and assorted wildlife. People & creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins -- the latter having been occupied as recently as the mid-20th century -- seem to be sticking around for a while yet.

Kim is a Seattle native (when she used to live in the Metro DC area, she loved telling people she was from "the other Washington") and a direct descendent of 20^th-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 7th-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 under her new imprint, Pendragon Cove Press. She also writes romantic historical fiction under the pseudonym "Kimberly Iverson."

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

FOLLOW KIM:

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+ - PINTEREST – 

GOODREADS – LINKEDIN – YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Kim answered some questions for us! 

Ice Tea or Lemonade? Depends on how hot I am, and whether I feel in the mood for spicy or sweet. :D

Lake or ocean? Ocean, then lake. Any open body of water will do, really. Just call me “Ariel in reverse.”

Sandals or Flipflops? Sandals with a toe thong, but not the real blingy kind.

Sit in the shadow of a tree or on the front/back porch? Oh, here is where you bump me off and take my real estate. I have a second, fully appointed house on my hundred-acre property called The Retreat—with a second-story screened porch off the library. The nearest neighbors are the horses & chickens on an adjacent farm.

Ball cap or floppy hat? Ball cap. With or without a Seattle Mariners or University of Washington Huskies logo.

Q: Which comes first, characters or plot?

A: My characters’ features, choices, flaws, fears, dreams, desires, and foibles always define the plot.

Q: Plotter, Pantser, or somewhere in between?

A: Depends on the work. My first novel, Dawnflight, was definitely seat-of-the pants. Morning’s Journey (sequel to Dawnflight), Liberty, Snow in July, and my forthcoming Twain sequel, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court were all developed using detailed outlines. I have an outline for Raging Sea (sequel to Morning’s Journey), but I’m not entirely happy with it and have been toying with the idea of going back to seat-of-the-pants to finish that one. So, to answer the question in a single word: Yes.

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

A: King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court (ebook edition forthcoming in November 2014; fully illustrated print edition November 2015), hands down. In 2007, when my (now ex) literary agent sent a blanket message to his client list stating that he had met a publisher who was actively seeking sequels to 19^th-century authors’ works, I got the green light to develop a sequel to A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, providing that I updated my story for the 21^st century. Which I did, in spades, and dove right in. After about 50 pages, however, the thought hit me: who did I think I was, trying to emulate Mark Twain, for heaven’s sake? That single doubt stopped me…for three years. Not just that project, either, but all of my fiction projects. If “writer’s block” has a dictionary entry, there’s where you’ll find my picture. Finally, in early 2010, I exercised (literally—treadmill, Wii Fit, etc.) my way out of my depression, strapped on a pair, decided that with my background and talent, I might be the only one alive who could pull this off, and finished the first draft. It became the single most important project for me to reclaim my writing mojo, because if I could write this, I could write anything.

  

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: Let me think…no, not really. Not yet, anyway. :D

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

A: Yes, but which book it is depends upon the project. When working on my Arthurian series (Dawnflight, Morning’s Journey, etc.), my Scottish Gaelic-English dictionary is my go-to reference for developing character names, endearments, epithets, etc. With Liberty, I had a book on Roman culture that was absolutely indispensable.

Well friends, hope you've enjoyed this Rocking Summer Romance spotlight! Stay tuned every week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlight!

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

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: #RockingSummerRomance with @DianaLRubino!

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to another spotlight in the Rocking Summer Romance blog hop!

Today my guest is Diana L Rubino with her book A Bloody Good Cruise.

A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE is a fun-filled blend of the vampire world and luxury cruises.

Romance author Mona is human. Ship’s doctor Fausto is a vampire. He can never be one of her kind, and she’s afraid to become one of his. As they sail the Mediterranean on a writers’ cruise, the couple is stalked by vampire hunters, and by Fausto’s notorious ex-wife, Lucrezia Borgia. Events force Mona and Fausto to team up with the hunters to capture Lucrezia, but where can they go from there? With Fausto’s friend and Mona’s editor vamping it up and hunters on the loose, can this bloody good cruise have a happy ending?

Excerpt:

 Mona forced a dose of cheer through her jangly nerves. Vampire hunters wouldn’t have the balls to attack Fausto and his friends on this ship. Security was tight. “Well, you’re here, so does that mean you’ve been going out, and aren’t confined to your house any more?”

Fausto shrugged. “Almost. I couldn’t wallow in self-pity forever. And I knew seeing you would make it worthwhile.”

She smiled and gave him a genuine Italian cheek pinch. “I’ll cheer you up, faccia bella, you can count on that. You must feel safe.” She gestured at the tacky duds. “I mean, relatively speaking.”  

“Don’t let this scare you, but –” He glanced around over the rims of his shades. Uh-oh. Whenever he said “don’t let this scare you,” it scared her. “I got an ominous message at the doctor's office earlier.”

“What B” She swallowed a lump. “What kind of ominous message?”

He looked away, shaking his head. “Nothing to get alarmed about. The hunters just want me to know they’re here. After the initial jolt wore off, I said, ‘okay, I’m being stalked again.’ But I’m used to it. It doesn’t make me constantly look over my shoulder like in the old days. My family’s murder gave me a reality check. If they want me, they’ll get me. I can’t let it interfere with my work, or what little leisure time I have here. And you shouldn’t either.” He gazed at her adoringly and cupped her cheek. His hand was surprisingly warm. “But you’re still scared. All the blood’s drained out of your face, and not in a good way.”

A Bloody Good Cruise can be purchased on Amazon (Kindle)!

Find out more about Diana by visiting her website , blog or connect with her on twitter!

Stay tuned for more Rocking Summer Romance reads!

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: #RockingSummerRomance with #LindaMcLaughlin AKA @LyndiLamont

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to another feature in the #RockingSummerRomance Blog hop!

 Back in April I hosted author Linda McLaughlin (AKA: Lindi Lamont) with her novel, Lady Ellinor's Escape, during the Egg-cerpt Exchange Blog hop, well today it is my pleasure to bring you another book by this multi-talented author!

But first, a little about Linda/Lindi.... 

 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

 Now some fun Q&A with Linda/Lindi....

 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 Rogue's Hostage....

Historical Romance
4 ½ stars and a Top Pick from Romantic Times!
Romantic Times Nominee—Best Small Press Romance of 2003!
2nd Place - Lorie Awards - Best Historical Romance!

Blurb: His hostage... In 1758 the Pennsylvania frontier is wild, primitive and dangerous, where safety often lies at the end of a gun. Mara Dupré's life crumbles when a French and Indian war party attacks her cabin, kills her husband, and takes her captive. Marching through the wilderness strengthens her resolve to flee, but she doesn't count on her captor teaching her the meaning of courage and the tempting call of desire. Her destiny... French lieutenant Jacques Corbeau's desire for his captive threatens what little honor he has left. But when Mara desperately offers herself to him in exchange for her freedom, he finds the strength to refuse and reclaims his lost self-respect. As the shadows of his past catch up to him, Jacques realizes that Mara, despite the odds, is the one true key to reclaiming his soul and banishing his past misdeeds forever. (Previously published by Amber Quill Press)

Purchase Links: Amazon, All Romance eBooks,Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo and Smashwords. 

Excerpt: Holding the towel to his shoulder, he walked over and stood by the bed to check on the woman, who was still in a faint. Despite her pallor, he noted that her skin was fine, her nose straight and thin. She had a lower lip just full enough to entice a man to taste it, and a stubborn chin that dared him to try. Under different circumstances….

She was perhaps not as lovely as he’d thought when he first saw her standing in the clearing—her hair, the color of corn silk, shining in the sunlight. Still, she was tall and fair, with slender curves and shapely ankles visible beneath the short skirts of a farm wife. .

And now she was a widow. He stared down at the woman and silently vowed to see that no more innocents died today. .

The woman gave a soft moan and opened her eyes. When she spotted him, she shrank back against the wall, arms folded defensively across her breast. His gut tightened. He didn’t enjoy terrifying women, but fear should make her easier to control. She had already proven unpredictable. .

Terror, stark and vivid, glittered in her eyes. "Who are you?"

"My name is Jacques Corbeau, lieutenant in the army of France. And you are my captive."

* * *

Mara inhaled sharply, panic building inside her. This couldn’t be real. It was all a bad dream. She would wake up soon and tell Emile about it, and they would laugh. And laugh and laugh and…. She swallowed the hysteria engulfing her.

"Madame, are you listening to me?"

The Frenchman’s voice, sharp and insistent, demanded her attention. "There is not much time. My companions are not patient men. We must leave soon, but first I want you to bind my shoulder. Where do you keep bandages?"

Her mouth and throat were dry when she swallowed, but she choked out an answer. "The trunk. Under the bed."

He squatted beside the bed, pulled out the trunk and rummaged through it. She watched his every move, unable to take her eyes off him, alarmed by the physical threat he represented.

He was a tall man who dominated the cabin as Emile never had, and his state of undress revealed nearly every inch of his lean and powerful form. Not only was he bare to the waist, but his breechclout and leggings failed to completely cover his thighs and buttocks. He had a wide-shouldered, rangy body and long, sinewy legs. He looked strong, virile, and infinitely dangerous.

A cold knot formed in Mara’s stomach. The French had killed her father and now her husband. What would they do to her?

She wrapped her arms around her waist. Her grandfather would say whatever happened was God’s will, but she rejected that idea. What kind of God allowed such awful things to happen?

Fearfully, she watched as the Frenchman shoved the trunk back under the bed and stood. He held out the bandages, and she froze. She couldn’t touch him, she just couldn’t.

The man’s heavy black brows drew together in a fierce frown, but his voice was without emotion. "Madame, I am all that stands between you and the men who killed your husband. I can be persuaded to act as your protector. It is to your advantage to do what I command."

*************

Well Friends, hope you enjoyed this Rocking Summer Romance spotlight. Stay tuned next week for another on Tuesday Treasure then of course, check back for Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time.... Take care & God Bless!
PamT