Pride: A Dance of Flames by Cait O’Sullivan – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Cait will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Researcher Ellora Radley’s life is just fine, thank you. So why turn it upside down to accept a new job with a sexy reckless treasure hunter and dive into a hot bed of shamanism and shapeshifting to shake the very fiber of existence? A fine life doesn’t put her in jeopardy.Lee North lives on the edge of jeopardy. Tracking down ancient, powerful artifacts demands no less and leaves precious little time for others. But when a raven-haired researcher surfaces repeatedly in his dreams, it’s her he tracks.Together they discover a world filled with magic they never dreamed of and danger that quickly becomes deadly. Their innate connection leads them on the adventure of a lifetime, but one which escalates into a world where evil dominates. Now they just have to survive it.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The door opened, admitting Ellora, and he gestured to her to sit back. Absentmindedly, he watched her prowl over to the sofa, sitting with grace and economy in her movements. Running a hand through his hair, he listened to his client.

“I’m looking for an ancient religious artifact originating in Neolithic times. Athens should be your first stop.”

There was an odd note, something he couldn’t put his finger on. Greece. He hadn’t been there before. He glanced at Ellora who looked as though she were listening with every fiber of her being.

“No problem. What is it?”

“A chalice, possibly Roman Catholic. It needs to be returned to its rightful owner. You know the budget.”

No budget. Spend what is needed.

“Understood. What information can you give me?” He nodded at Ellora and watched as she pulled an iPad from her bag.

“It is made of metal and has engravings of three spirals and eagles on the outside with a cross in the center of the bowl.

He knew better than to ask for any images, knowing Constantin didn’t put anything on paper. All business was conducted over the phone, and then only very briefly.

“Do you know when it was last seen?”

“No. You know all I know. Keep in touch.”

A click preceded the dial tone.

About the Author: Karen Lovell, better known by her pseudonym, Cait O’Sullivan, grew up in Ireland to an Irish mother and an English father. Dividing her school holidays between idyllic time on her Granny’s farm and the big cities in England culminated in her feeling as though she had a foot in Ireland and another in England, often joking that she came from the Irish Sea. Wanderlust in her blood sent her out to travel the world and then, reluctant to give up on following her dreams, she started writing. After publishing four books, the world of shamanism called to her and she spent three years studying with her guides. This resulted in a rich vein of inspiration for her writing and she combined her loves of traveling, shamanism and love itself into a brand new trilogy—A Dance of Flames. She currently lives in the countryside in England with her hubby, four daughters and one Irish setter and visits Ireland on a regular basis. But maybe one day she’ll move back there.

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My Take on Critique Groups by Andrea Matthews – Guest Post and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Andrea Matthews will be awarding an Ebook copy of books 2 and 3 in the series to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

My Take on Critique Groups

Just like anything else, critique groups can vary from wonderful experiences to a waste of time, depending on the group. You have to do your research and maybe even experiment a bit, but don’t lose heart. The right group is out there for you somewhere.

On one side of the spectrum are large online groups that allow you to post chapters for others to read and critique in return for you doing the same for someone else. The pro side is that you have an enormous pool of prospective readers. Unfortunately, many of these groups don’t yield helpful results, since there is no real checks and balances, and a large number of those posting are primarily interested in receiving critiques and fail to offer any in return. I did manage to find one that broke that mold, however. A site called Scribophile requires you to earn karma by reading the work of others before you can post a chapter of your own. The result is that you do receive crits, and because there are a multitude of genres to choose from, a majority of the critiques you receive are insightful and geared toward your own. It works great, and I developed some fantastic critique partners and writing friends. Everyone critiques, and eventually, you can develop a following. I highly recommend a group like this for anyone starting out, who wants to learn more about their craft and create a network of excellent authors. It also had the opportunity to read some tremendous stories, many of which have since been published.

On the other side of the spectrum are the small face-to-face groups, which for the most part work well, as long as you find like-minded authors. If you write romance and join a group where most of the other members read or write science fiction, a lot is going to be lost in the translation. Both genres have their own distinct tropes and styles. To get the most helpful critiques, you need someone who understands your genre. That’s not to say, those outside your genre can’t give useful critiques. It just means they may be less likely to enjoy your work and give you an insightful critique.

Either way, there’s always value in having someone to discuss your writing with. The key is to find a good fit in critique partners that not only enjoy your genre, but who will give you an honest appraisal that can help you improve your writing and ultimately your work.

Maggie Armstrong grew up enchanted by her father’s tales of blood feuds and border raids. In fact, she could have easily fallen for the man portrayed in one particular image in his portrait collection. Yet when her father reveals he was himself an infamous Border reiver, she finds it a bit far-fetched—to say the least—especially when he announces his plans to return to his sixteenth century Scottish home with her in tow.

Suspecting it’s just his way of getting her to accompany him on yet another archaeological dig, Maggie agrees to the expedition, only to find herself transported four hundred and fifty years into the past. Though a bit disoriented at first, she discovers her father’s world to be every bit as exciting as his stories, particularly when she’s introduced to Ian Rutherford, the charming son of a neighboring laird. However, when her uncle announces her betrothal to Ian, Maggie’s twentieth-century sensibilities are outraged. She hardly even knows the man. But a refusal of his affections could ignite a blood feud.

Maggie’s worlds are colliding. Though she’s found the family she always wanted, the sixteenth century is a dangerous place. Betrayal, treachery, and a tragic murder have her questioning whether she should remain or try to make her way back to her own time.

To make matters worse, tensions escalate when she stumbles across Bonnie Will Foster, the dashing young man in her father’s portrait collection, only to learn he is a dreaded Englishman. But could he be the hero she’s always dreamed him to be? Or will his need for revenge against Ian shatter more than her heart?

Enjoy an Excerpt

Will Foster crouched behind the crumbling stone wall, watching the Armstrongs approach over the opposite hilltop. They pulled up before what he could only assume was a small foraging party, for the strangers traveled on foot. But where had they come from? Moments before, nothing but harebells and thistle had filled that field. He scratched his head. Perhaps they’d walked from a nearby village. Not too clever with the Armstrongs on the prowl. Then again, maybe they were of the same clan, though he certainly didn’t recognize any of them. The Armstrongs, however, he knew all too well, and he thought it best to stay out of their way.

As he peered around the broken wall, one of the strangers turned. An angel amongst a pack of wolves, no doubt. But one of the men tugged her back to his side before Will could determine if she was their hostage. Though he was certain she’d seen him, she didn’t cry out, so perhaps she
hoped he’d rescue her.

He inched a bit closer, staying low to avoid detection. Though he still couldn’t make out much of their conversation, the breeze did manage to catch a few words that caused his ears to perk up. “So, he’s a cousin to Archie, is he.”

Will scurried amongst the trees, coming to rest behind an ancient pine. He caught sight of the bonnie wee lass once more, standing off to the side this time. Instinct caused him to grasp the hilt of his sword. If he moved quickly, he could run out and rescue her before the Armstrongs realized he was there. Then one of the men spoke again, his words taking Will by surprise.

“’Tis me daughter, Maggie,” the stranger said.

About the AuthorAndrea Matthews is the pseudonym for Inez Foster, a historian and librarian who loves to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogical speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. She is the author of the Thunder on the Moor series set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Border, and the Cross of Ciaran series, where a fifteen-hundred-year-old Celt finds himself in the twentieth century. Andrea is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society.

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Does music play an important role in your writing? by Michael Leon – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Does music play an important role in your writing?

I often listen to music to inspire me. Surprisingly, I don’t mind noise around as I write. A lot of my first drafts are penned in public places, such as cafes, beaches and parks. However, music that is special to me, summons some of my best creativity. I often say to myself and other writers, if what you write draws out strong emotions in you, it is usually good writing. All art can have that effect on me, writing, music, film and theatre.

Listening to music is a wonderful way to tap into your creativity. I cannot imagine a day without music or film to entertain and motivate me creatively. Writing Chandelier, I mainly listened to the operas by Guiseppi Verdi.

Music is a great way to evoke mood and thus enhance the dramatic impact of scenes. There were also a number of contemporary songs as well as operatic that influenced how I wrote Chandelier. Here are my top three.

The song that most impacted on my novel, Chandelier, also influenced the name of the novel! I listened to an Australian version of the hit song, Chandelier by Damien Rice and immediately imagined the scene where Benny is playing to an audience in a nightclub. Click on the link to hear the song.

Another haunting song by Melodie Gardot allowed me to imagine the finale where Viola is singing at the Garnier. It evoked emotions of a life that soared early but felt the bumps of tragedy and loss, then rebirth. Click on the link to hear the song.

Of course, Verdi’s opera of La Traviata was the backdrop for the whole novel. I chose that opera because it told the story of the downfall of a strong woman, Violetta. The atmospheric prelude evoked just the right emotions for my novel. Click on the tour banner to hear the song.

CHANDELIER is the genre-bending sci-fi/fantasy-romance novel follow up of Michael Leon’s 2019 fantasy-romance book, PHANTOMS. A century has passed since the fabled Phantom ruled the Garnier Opera House. Technology has advanced, and AI has evolved beyond human knowledge. They reside in a virtual Earth, free from the ravages of an environmentally damaged Earth where humans and post-humans live under AI’s qualified governance. CHANDELIER follows one AI sentient’s journey, Benny, whose loyalty for a famous opera singer, Madame D’Arenberg, sets him on a dangerous course, entangling him in The Phantom of the Opera’s deadly web.

Enjoy an Excerpt

A human whistling sound, distant but growing louder permeated the chill of the room. An unearthly chilled breath wafted over his face. He opened his eyes and looked up to its source, but he was alone, until light formed on the wall behind Gaston’s bed. Shapeless light swirled as if blown by that same breeze. The foggy disturbance slowed, allowing the swirling shape to take form. It was human but completely covered in black, bar the shape of a smooth ghost-like face. As the contours sharpened he realised it was a mask. Was he looking at the phantom? If he was, Gaston’s stories had all been real!

Fear gripped him to the seat. He wanted to flee but dared not move. Before the apparition suddenly looked Flynn’s way, turning his fear to terror.

“Who are you?” He asked feebly, but the apparition remained silent.

Flynn went to stand but a second shape appeared from behind him. A man dressed in white walked toward Gaston’s bed, making no sound as it glided across the room. Both apparitions studied the body for a time, ignoring Flynn before vanishing through the bedroom wall, leaving Flynn alone. He immediately stood and left the room, fearful they may return, not daring to look back. Whatever he witnessed, he didn’t wish to see again. Flynn was a scientist who staunchly refuted Gaston’s ramblings about ghosts as the product of a vivid imagination. They had spent many years arguing over their existence. Perhaps this was his friend’s final wish, to show him that everything he had written and said was true.

About the Author:Michael Leon is an explorer, writer and author of the new novel, Sentient. Professionally trained in international trade, Michael has spent the last decade reading and writing SFF novels about new worlds to be explored in the future. His latest work, Sentient, imagines Earth in the year 2120. His next novel, Chandelier, will be released in 2022. Michael has travelled extensively around Europe, walking the paths of his characters, from the famous European opera houses in Phantoms to the mountain tops of Switzerland in Emissary.

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That Missed Call by Kris Francouer – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kris Francoeur will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Kat thought the night she met handsome, sexy Alex was just a dream. When he gave Kat his number, asking her to call him, she was over the moon. Sitting in her college dorm, hands shaking with anticipation, she wondered if he really was attracted to her. Was he just being nice to his best friend’s younger sister?

That moment… that call would shift Kat’s future in ways she never could have imagined.

Five years later, a chance encounter brings Alex back into Kat’s life. He makes it clear he’s attracted to her, but Kat isn’t the same naïve college girl when they first met. Struggling with her own attraction to Alex, she isn’t sure she can trust him.

All Alex wants is a future with Kat, but her hesitancy confuses and frustrates him. He knows there are shadows in her life, but nothing could change how he feels about her.

Will Kate be able to trust Alex with her heart and a devastating secret she’s sure will turn him away?

Enjoy an Excerpt

“You can deny it all you want, but something is happening between us, and you know it.”

She knew he was right, and her voice was laced with panic as she sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees protectively. “Alex, I can’t do this. I mean, I really can’t. I’m not looking for a romance, I just need a friend- nothing more.”

“I am your friend.” He stroked her arm, seeing her eyes darken. “I’m just saying you shouldn’t rule out something more. I won’t hurt you.”

“I know, but I’m just here for a few days. If anything was to happen, it would be nothing more than a fling.”

About the Author: Kris Francoeur is an author, ghostwriter, and educator who lives on her small family farm in Vermont. When not writing stories about strong women with interesting backstories, Kris loves to travel, knit, and garden.

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The Nantucket Beachfront Inn by Ainsley Keaton – Q&A and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What would we find under your bed?

I put winter things like blankets, sweaters and the like under the bed. I put them into shrink bags. And other junk like yearbooks and stuff like that – I put those into a box-thing that goes underneath the bed. Right now, it’s wintertime, so there’s not much under the bed.

What was the scariest moment of your life?

Two near-death experiences. One, I almost choked to death when I was very small on an orange membrane that got caught in my throat. I would have died if I didn’t have a small enough hand to pull it out of my throat. And one time, I almost drowned in a rip tide. A lifeguard had to come out and save me. There’s nothing scarier than swimming for your life and getting further away from the shore.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

No, not really, but if I did, it would be classical, because it helps me concentrate.

What is something you’d like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

A successful launch for my new women’s fiction series, and starting the spin-off series that will feature people who will get a second chance to correct a mistake in their life.

How long did it take you to write this book?

Too long, because I kept completely re-writing it. Probably it has taken me six months, which is weird, because I used to be able to pound out a book a month.

She’s 54, broken-hearted, and starting over….

High-powered New York attorney Ava Flynn finds herself without a job or a future. Unemployable at her age, and broken-hearted by a husband who left her in the lurch, she desperately needs a Plan B. Her prayers are answered when a wealthy benefactor wills her a large house in the ‘Sconset Beach area of Nantucket. She heads out to the picturesque New England island with her two best friends, Luna and Mila, going along for the ride.

One catch…her estranged daughter also lives there. Charlotte Killeen, Ava’s daughter, is battling a crisis of her own. Her new husband, Matthew, wants a divorce, even though the couple have a newborn baby. Charlotte needs her mother more than ever, but the two have never seen eye to eye. Her marriage on the rocks and with few prospects for income, Charlotte is near the end of her rope. Then a life-threatening illness brings into focus what’s important after all.

Ava’s other daughter, Samantha, also lives on Nantucket Island, with her best friend and roommate, Grayson. Samantha suffers from a lack of direction in her life, and longs to meet a rich prince charming who will sweep her off her feet. When she meets the man of her dreams, she’s leaving behind the one man who loves her unconditionally – Grayson.

Jackson, Ava’s son, is an aspiring actor in Hollywood. Everything has always come easy to him, that is until Willow, Matthew’s cousin, shows up. Free-spirited Willow is just the kind of girl to break Jackson’s heart, which is difficult to do, as Jackson is always the heartbreaker.

And speaking of Willow…she’s a feminist island witch and artist. She and Jackson have been through many, many lifetimes together. Yet, Willow wants nothing to do with Jackson in this lifetime. She has no desire to give up even an ounce of her power, not even for her soul mate. Willow also is hiding a devastating secret from Jackson. A secret that is guaranteed to upend his life for good.

Mila, Ava’s best friend, is battling a devastating illness, information that she hasn’t shared with Ava and Luna. She never wants to be a burden, so she just doesn’t ask for help. But she’s going to need all the support she can get. She finds this support in a very surprising place, and, in doing so, gets closer to her own destiny.

Ava busies herself with fixing up her beautiful new beach home, so that she can open up a bed and breakfast. Contractor Deacon Cromwell, whom Ava hires to do the renovation, is the man who might thaw Ava’s cold heart, if only she’ll let him. However, he’s almost 20 years her junior and, Ava believes, out of her league. Can Ava overcome her insecurities and allow herself to love again?

In this feel-good beach read with a touch of magick, Ava and her friends and family will become your best friends. Come and share their joys and heartbreaks, their tragedies and triumphs. For fans of Susan Mallery, Jude Devereaux Nantucket Bride series and Elin Hilderbrand!

Enjoy an Excerpt

As Willow Killeen worked on a painting that she had to have completed for her show tonight, she also thought about her other “job.” Well, it wasn’t really a job so much as a calling, one that she refused to charge for. It was against her creed as a witch to make money off of her gifts.

She sometimes wished that she could charge for her services, as working as an artist wasn’t much of a living, it turned out. She was good at her art but not good enough. At least, her art wasn’t good enough to sustain her in ‘Sconset beach, the very expensive village she chose to call home. True, she lived in a guest house on a piece of property that was owned by her aunt, who only charged her $1000 a month, which, for Nantucket, was a steal – but there were months that she couldn’t hardly come up with that rent and still afford to eat.

Still, she was fortunate that she didn’t really need to leave her house to earn money, and she knew it. And, to keep her creative juices flowing, she found that the more she helped people out in the world, the better she did with her art. So, she kept a steady stream of clients who came to her for spell work, herbal remedies, crystal healing and chakra balancing, all of which she specialized in. Willow was a healer first, artist second, and that was how she preferred it.

She looked out her window and saw a young girl coming up the dirt path that led to her guest house, and she groaned. “Not her,” she muttered under her breath. The painting that she was working on, which was a brightly colored portrait of a beautiful couple she’d seen at the Farmer’s Market – she tended towards riotous colors throughout her subjects’ faces and hair, like Henri Matisse’s famous portrait of his wife – was forgotten.

About the Author:Ainsley Keaton lives in Southern California with her husband and two fur-babies, Bella and Annie. When she’s not binge-watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Downton Abbey and Succession, she’s reading historical and women’s fiction or scouring the beach for sea glass and sand dollars.

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Cover Reveal: Love You Right by Julia Kent

Long and Short Reviews is please to participate in the cover reveal for Love You Right, the first book in the romantic comedy series Love You, Maine by Julia Kent, which releases on April 26.

If you’re looking for a fun read about enemies to lovers, forced proximity, heroines who get their comeuppance and sworn bachelors felled by unexpected true love, featuring a hot bearded lumberjack impervious to poison ivy, and a city-slicker, jaded career woman with a penchant for great coffee, set in a small town in New England – then this is your book.

Grab a cup of (properly good) coffee, a can of hot cocoa mix, a jar of Fluff and maybe some calamine lotion (just in case), and get your happymeter ready as you read the very first book in New York Times bestselling romantic comedy author Julia Kent’s Love You, Maine series – where love isn’t just a feeling – it’s a way of life

A missed opportunity five years ago makes for an unexpected encounter now between two people meant for each other – but who square off in a very public battle of wills in the small town of Love You, Maine, where every day is Valentine’s Day. Can love conquer all in a town steeped in it?

Kell Luview refuses to be a sucker at love again. Five years ago, he left D.C. with his tail between his legs and his heart broken. Fiercely protective of his small town in rural Maine, he’s determined to save the family tree business and avoid his feelings at all costs, no matter how much he longs to solve the mystery of what happened in D.C.

L.A. native Rachel Hart hates being underestimated almost as much as she hates this small town. She has two goals on this trip: get out of the cheesy tourist trap of Love You, Maine with a completed business deal, and avoid running into Kell, her old friend from D.C. who never became an old flame because of a huge misunderstanding.

One that still aches.

When her rental car breaks down on a logging road and Kell comes to her rescue, it’s clear he’s a changed man – and not for the good. Grumpy and reserved, he pushes all her buttons, still stubbornly convinced she betrayed him all those years ago. He’s never forgiven her, and she’s never forgiven herself for carrying a torch for him.

An embarrassing incident gets the town gossip mill going when residents wrongly assume Kell and Rachel are the newest couple to find love in the most romantic place on Earth. But the townsfolk aren’t wrong for long…

As Rachel breaks through his defenses and charms the town, he faces his biggest fear: all those pesky feelings he’s been avoiding.

Because they’re all about Rachel now.

And maybe they always were.

Can Kell and Rachel fight their growing attraction in the one place in the world where you can’t avoid love?

About the Author New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men’s room toilet (and he isn’t a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).

She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers.

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What Would I Tell a New Author? by Darci Garcia – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Darci Garcia will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What would I tell a new author?

I think the most important thing would be to remain open to both the accolades and the criticism that will invariably make its way to you. Be entirely open to learning especially during the editing phase. I would have never believed how difficult I actually found it to make changes!! Of equal importance is to write every single day. It is SO difficult especially if you are not necessarily feeling creative. I have found, interestingly enough, it is during those times that I seem to produce some of my best work. You should know that the only way to hone your craft is to continue to write. The utilization of beta readers in my opinion, is a must. Try to have people that do not know you personally read your work, otherwise, I’m not sure you will get a true evaluation of your work. Lastly, believe in yourself. No matter what, no matter the feedback, no matter the white noise, stay true to your passion. That alone will make you a success!

Megan Cunningham could never have imagined she would meet her handsome neighbor while chasing her badly behaved Boston Terrier Lucy but that is exactly what happened! After careening headlong into Brice Castillo’s chest and gazing into his icy blue eyes the fireworks began!

Brice is head over heels for the beautiful blonde and cannot help but pursue her. Still, there is something he is holding back that may just keep these two hearts apart forever! They are both determined to find a way and may just have sealed their happily ever after.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Panicked, Megan reached the open door. Just as she was about to enter, she crashed
headlong into a chest. A very large, very male chest. Immediately a strong hand
grasped her shoulder, helping to steady her as she rocked back from the impact.
Breathless, she looked up. The stranger’s eyes were startling, an icy blue mixed with
slate. “Extraordinary,” she thought, fascinated by their hue.

“Are you ok?” the man asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

“What?” Megan babbled, staring up at him, completely unable to form a cohesive thought.

“This is exactly why you’re still single,” she thought, still mute. Just then Lucy began barking furiously. Horrified, Megan observed her errant dog as she ran deliriously over the stranger’s very expensive leather couch. Her tongue hung almost to her feet as she trailed drool joyously. The man had turned away from her, both of them staring incredulously.

“Is that your dog?” he asked without turning.

“That dog?” Megan squeaked. “No. I mean yes, yes of course she is,” then, pushing past the stranger, Megan ran towards Lucy who wasn’t the least bit concerned by the murderous look on Megan’s face.

About the Author:Darci Garcia is a contemporary romance writer with a penchant for including members of the animal kingdom in her stories. Although she studied business, her first love has always been the written word.

She believes a sense of humor can cure most anything and laughs at herself most of all.
An animal rights activist, she has spent most of her life working behind the scenes assisting in the rescue of dogs.

These days you will find her in sunny Florida, although she was born and raised in New England, which, she maintains, still holds her heart. She is living out her own happily ever after along with her husband, children and of course her rescues which, at last count, equaled five!

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The Most Eligible Bride in London by Ella Quinn – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN Card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Love conquers even the most unlikely lord in USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s delightful Lords of London series, as a reformed rogue endeavors to prove himself worthy of his chosen bride . . .

Mistakes happen, to be sure. Rarely are those mistakes as unfortunate as the one made by Nathanael, Viscount Fotherby, when he abducted the now Lady Merton to save his friend from marriage. Nate has been trying to make amends ever since, leaving behind his self-centered ways to fulfill his duties—and that includes finding a wife of his own. One woman sparks his interest above all others—a lady he helped when she was rescuing a child. Alas, there is a devilish complication . . .

Miss Henrietta Stern, Lady Merton’s younger sister, is intrigued by the stranger who comes to her aid—until she learns his identity. Nate’s stunt could have ruined her sister’s reputation, and her family may never forgive him. With beauty, connections, and a sizeable dowry, Henrietta has plenty of admirers. Yet no other suitor quickens her pulse quite like Nate does. Her heart insists that the gentleman has changed for the better. But can a renowned scoundrel possibly prove himself to be the perfect husband?

Enjoy an Excerpt

His mother was sitting on a small sofa and a tea tray had been placed on the low table in front of it. “Fotherby, I thought you had work to do.”

“There was nothing pressing, but I realized that as soon as people know we are here, we will begin receiving invitations. And we have never discussed what I want in a wife.” He didn’t quite know how to bring up the lady he’d assisted. There was always the chance his mother knew her family. He might as well just say it. “Also, while I was at the workhouse, fetching Miss Odell and her baby, I discovered that there are charities that save children. That is something I would be interested in. Do you know any of them?”

“Please stop looming over me and have a cup of tea. We shall address the requirement of a wife first. Then I shall give some thought to the charities.” He selected a chintz-covered chair, and she handed him a cup. “What do you want in a wife?”

“I want her to be down-to-earth, intelligent, and”—he wanted to say “courageous,” but how to explain that?—“and be equal to me.” He’d seen that in the Odells and some other couples. “But not stuffy or too serious.” He wanted her to love him, not who he was. He’d heard Merton had found that and was happier for it.

“Well, that is an interesting combination.” She sipped her tea. “Do you want beauty and grace?”

A pair of light eyes—he wished he knew the color—under long, thick, black lashes passed through his mind. “Some beauty. I do like the combination of black hair and light eyes. I suppose most ladies are graceful.”

“Yes, most are.” His mother turned to her maid. “Bring me my pocketbook.” Once it was handed to her, she began making notes. “Is there anything else?”

He thought about the lady again. “Someone not in her first Season. I want someone who has maturity, if not in age, than in behavior.”

Mama drew her lips under as she wrote again. “Very well. I shall see who is here for the Season.” She put the pocketbook on a side table. “Do you know anyone who meets these criterion?”

Nate felt heat rise in his neck. “I did, in a loose meaning of the term, meet a lady.” He supposed he’d now have to tell his mother where. “When Mr. Odell was in speaking with Miss Bywater—although she is now Miss Odell—I saw a lady in need of assistance.”

His mother pursed her lips. “And you were able to render it?”

“Yes.” Damn, he never should have said anything.

“You are certain she is a lady?”

“Absolutely certain.”

Her brows rose. “And would this have anything to do with searching for a charity?”

“Er. Yes.” He downed his tea. “I believe she is working for a charity.”

“You do know that if she is working, she will not have a dowry.” Mama’s face was a mask, and he wished he knew what she was thinking. Still, he did not think she disapproved.

“That does not matter to me. What I want is a lady of character and compassion.” After all, he was the one who would have to live with her.

She met his gaze and seemed to study him for a long few moments. Finally she nodded. “Very well. I shall make inquiries. I hope for your sake that she is a lady.”

“She is a lady.” He almost growled the words. He did not have to hope at all. He, like everyone else, knew when a female was a lady. Nate rose. “I am well acquainted with the breed. I’ll see you in the drawing room.”

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side (political science professor and lawyer). Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

She is married to her wonderful husband of almost fourty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, a Great Dane named Lilibet, and a cat named Winnie. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true lived on sailboat for three years. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She’s currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement. She expects to be back on the boat in 2022.

Ella loves when readers connect with her.

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The Lady’s Hand by Bobbi Smith – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bobbi Smith will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Unlucky At Cards…

Cool-headed and ravishingly beautiful, Brandy O’Neill knew how to hold her own with the riverboat gamblers on The Pride of New Orleans. But she met her match in Rafe Morgan when she bet everything she had on three queens and discovered the wealthy plantation owner had a far-from-gentlemanly notion of how she should make good on her wagers.

Lucky In Love…

Disillusioned with romance, Rafe wanted a child of his own to care for, without the complications of a woman to break his heart. Now, a full house had given him just the opportunity he was looking for – he would force the lovely cardsharp to marry him and give him a child before he’d set her free. But a hot wedding night and a glimpse into Brandy’s tender heart soon made Rafe realize he’d been luckier than he’d ever imagined when he won… The Lady’s Hand.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Have you been to the bar yet?” one of the men sharing their dinner table on The Pride of New Orleans asked Rafe and Marc as they finished eating.

“No, not yet,” Rafe answered.

“You’re in for a treat then,” the man told him.

“What kind of treat?”

“You’ll get to meet Brandy tonight.”

“Who’s Brandy?” Marc asked.

“You haven’t heard about Miss Brandy, the best poker player on the Mississippi?” he said with a grin. “I lost about two hundred dollars to her last night.”

“And you’re smiling?” Rafe was surprised by his attitude. Most men didn’t like to lose.

“You’ll have to meet her before you’ll understand.”

“She sounds interesting.”

“Brandy’s more than interesting. Why don’t you come down to the bar with us now? She should be there.”

Rafe and Marc agreed, thinking they would enjoy a good poker game tonight.

“There’s a mystery about Brandy,” the man said. “Very little is known about her past. Many men have tried to convince her to do more than gamble with them, but Brandy remains aloof. She refuses all advances.”

Rafe was intrigued, and when they entered the bar, they found a group of men standing around a table in the back of the room.

“She’s here,” the man pointed out.

They made their way over to stand by the table, and Rafe and Marc understood immediately what the other man had been saying. It was no wonder men didn’t mind losing to her. Brandy was beautiful enough to distract even the most accomplished poker player.

About the Author: After working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982.

Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and 6 novellas. To date, there are more than five million copies of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, the USA Today Best Seller List and the Wal-Mart Best Seller List.

The rights to Ms. Smith’s books have been sold to China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Russia and Sweden. Bobbi has also written two faith-based contemporary novels – Haven and Miracles – using the pseudonym, Julie Marshall.

Website

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If I’d never heard of me, would I read my book? by Gladys Cross – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Prmotions. Gladys Cross will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

If I’d never heard of me, would I read my book?

I’ve been an avid romance reader since I first started reading. Believe it or not, when I was younger, I almost failed a grade because I had trouble with reading. Not sure what else to do, my mother started reading me her Harlequin’s, seeing if she could spark some kind of interest. Before you get too scandalized, she skipped the juicy parts, and it worked.

Every subgenre of romance is on the table for me, from historical to dark to paranormal. In my youth, I read more established authors, mainly because I purchased paperback books at swaps, book fairs, and the flea market.

These days, Kindle Unlimited has opened a whole new world for me. The only downside is their algorithm always recommends books that are selling well and similar to what you recently read. While helpful, it forces us into a rut, never reading outside our small favorite subgenre.

When I first started writing, I became passionate about helping other Indy Authors and reached out to one of the review groups I belong to. Needless to say, I got over 200 requests from authors wanting me to read and review their books. This was wonderful because I read so many authors I might not have otherwise, mostly because if it didn’t have a pretty man on the cover, I didn’t read it.

All that being said, today’s Gladys, older and possibly a bit wiser, would give my books a read. The best advice I can give readers is to step outside of your comfort zone and see what you may find. Who knows? It might delight you.

Want to know what I’ve read? Help some Indy Authors? Meet some new book boyfriends? Check me out on Goodreads!


Kassie knew she was in trouble when her matchmaking best friend announced she’d gotten professional help in time for Valentine’s Day. Her friend’s attempts had always been hilariously ridiculous and never in a million years was Kassie expecting a hunky firefighter to show up on her doorstep.

Her online dating profile said she was looking for a superhero, and Declan couldn’t help but believe it had to be fate. But fate was a fickle mistress who left him to wonder who he was behind the mask. He’d been hiding in plain sight for long enough that he wasn’t sure if he even knew the answer. And until he figured that out, he had nothing to offer the world, let alone Kassie.

Love had already ended in tragedy once for Kassie, and she feared that history was doomed to repeat itself unless Declan could learn to trust her with his secrets. This time around, would it be enough to harden her heart for good, or would his deception restore her faith in second chances?

Enjoy an Excerpt

“When was the last time you went on a date?” Tiffany asked, leaning over the back of the sectional.

“That would be the time you set me up with your cousin Phil.” I shuddered and gave my her a bitchy glare. “I’m still not recovered.”

She rolled her eyes. “How long ago was that?”

“Six months ago,” I grudgingly admitted.

My best friend was a horrendous match maker, yet she continued to subject me to these dating rejects every time I was single. Not that she kept the good ones for herself. Oh no, there was the guy who manufactured meth, the one who left her to watch his baby while he got drunk, and my personal favorite, the one who removed all his natural teeth in favor of a gold grill not knowing he could get a snap on. Dumbass.

“Exactly,” she said with a smirk. “Besides, this time it’s different. I sought professional help.”

Wait a second, what did she just say? And more importantly what sort of fresh hell was she planning on subjecting me to?

“What do you mean, exactly, by professional help?”

She winced, her button nose scrunching up. “I may have created a dating profile for you on LookingforLoveOnline.com.”

About the Author:Books transport us to a fantasy world where anything can happen, and once I overcame my difficulties in learning how to read, I was hooked. My mother always carried a Harlequin Romance with her, so it was only natural that I was drawn to that genre. There was something magical about the concept of eternal love and as I grew older, my tastes within the genre broadened to include everything from historical to dark.

My writing blossomed in much the same way. The first story I wrote was the Vanderbilt Affair, which was inspired by a field trip. Back then, I was fortunate enough to have an English teacher willing to nurture my love of writing by becoming my editor after school.

The writing bug stayed with me, but over the years, life got in the way, and it wasn’t until my early forties that I published my first short story in a Christmas Anthology. From there, I began writing and publishing across many sub-genres, with each book carrying some element of the unexpected.

When I’m not up to devious pursuits, like shooting a character, you’ll find me curled up with a book next to my dog, watching TV with my better half, or engaging in random water gun fights with my daughter and the neighborhood kids.

Stalk Me!

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The book is on sale at Amazon.