Winter Blogfest: Harley Wylde

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win an Ebook copy of Venom (Dixie Reapers MC) and swag (bookmarks, character cards, and stickers).

Christmas is a time for miracles, and a time of joy. Seeing the Christmas lights, listening to the songs, or sipping hot cocoa on cold nights fills me with warmth. Despite the chaos of the stores, I enjoy buying gifts for my family. Even when I’m “done” shopping, I still run across things I just know they’ll like or might need, so I end up getting more. My husband tells me I go overboard every year. And I do, but I don’t see the harm in doing that once a year.

I love taking the kids to look at the large light displays. There are two about an hour away from us, but sadly, they seem to do the same lights every year and I think the kids are a little tired of it. So, this year, I’m hoping to find something new for them to do. It’s something we’ve done since they were little, and even though they’re all grown up now, I still like to do those sorts of things with them.

In the past, we’d visit family on Christmas Eve. Over the years, our family has shrunk one person at a time as we’ve had to say goodbye to them. I’d like to think they’re still watching over us. So, the traditions we once had, have changed a bit. But I still let my kids open one gift on Christmas Eve. It’s something I always did growing up, and my mother as well. So, now my children do it too. Even when things are tough, I know we’re blessed and don’t struggle as much as others, because someone has always been there to lend a hand when we’ve needed it.

For some families, this is a stressful time. There are no light displays, possibly not even a tree in their home. They don’t know how they’re going to feed their children, much less buy gifts for them. And if they do manage to get things, it ends up being necessities and not fun stuff. It breaks my heart knowing there are children who won’t get to experience the same things my children can. Those who feel left out when they go back to school and their friends talk about all the amazing things they received or did over the holidays. Which is why I do my best to look for ways to help out, whether it’s a Toys for Tots donation box, picking an angel off the tree at Walmart, or helping out a friend who’s struggling. Sometimes I do all of the above. I’ll even donate items to shelters and rescues. Homeless kitties and puppies need love too.

I incorporated some of that int one of my Christmas romances – Heart of a Hero. It ties into my Dixie Reapers MC series, but it’s book one in an all new series (Swift Angels MC). Dawson is truly a hero at heart, and proves it by saving a single mom and her daughter from a burning building, then welcoming them into his home. The story is a slow-burn romance with suspense, hope, and love – all set around Christmastime.

What’s your favorite thing about this time of year? Do you have a special holiday tradition? Or is there something you enjoy doing for others? Leave a comment and let me know! I always love hearing what other people enjoy about the holiday season.

The unexpected twists and turns in life often lead to the most beautiful surprises.

Nora: If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that life never goes according to plan. But having my apartment burn down was certainly not on my to-do list. Being trapped with my daughter, the flames drawing closer, was the most terrifying thing I’d ever experienced. Until the sexiest firefighter I’ve ever seen came swinging through my window and saved us.

I should have known our heroic rescuer wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing when he heard we had nowhere else to go. So now we’re staying with him, and the more I learn about Dawson Kane, the harder I start to fall for him. But what if he breaks my heart just like all the others?

Dawson: Growing up as the son of a Dixie Reaper, I’ve seen so many couples come together, having fallen in love at first sight. Never thought it would happen to me. Now that it has, I’m going to hold onto Nora and her daughter Taylor with everything I have. Even finding out she’s three months pregnant isn’t enough to scare me off. Her ex causing trouble doesn’t either. I’m going to prove to her she’s worth fighting for.

Now I just have to confess to my dad that I not only helped start my own motorcycle club, but I’m the VP. The holidays are supposed to be the time for miracles, and I’m going to need several! One to ensure my dad doesn’t kill me when he finds out what I’ve been hiding from him, another to make Nora stay with me forever, and the last one to get rid of her psycho ex once and for all.

Uncover a tale of love that defies the odds in “Heart of a Hero,” perfect for fans of romance with a touch of danger.

WARNING: Heart of a Hero is intended for readers 18+ due to adult situations, bad language, and violence. This story is what I like to call MC-Lite and is a slow burn romance. But there’s a guaranteed HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde’s website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook

Buy the book at Books2Read.

Winter Blogfest: Jessica Coulter Smith

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win an Ebook copy and Spotify audio code of Intergalactic Brides book 1 – Brielle and the Alien Geek.

This is one of my favorite times of year.

When I was little, my grandmother on my dad’s side would make both chocolate fudge and peanut butter fudge. My grandmother on my mom’s side would bake a Coa-Cola cake. Since my parent’s weren’t together anymore, I’d spend Christmas Eve with one side of the family and Christmas Day with the other – and it would rotate each year. To some, that may seem hectic or even sad, but I didn’t know the difference. It was just a normal holiday for me.

My grandparents are no longer with us, and I miss them dearly. So this time of year, I think back on all those family gatherings, the yummy desserts and how noisy my family could be. The memories are bittersweet because I wish I had more time with my grandparents.

I’m not a baker, and I’m not the best cook, so sadly my husband and children don’t get to experience those amazing desserts. I think my grandmother’s Coca-Cola cake recipe is long gone. No one in the family ever got it from her, and she didn’t have it written down anywhere. And I’m nowhere near talented enough to make fudge. But there’s one thing I can make – don’t laugh when I tell you. My dad’s mom also made a chocolate pie. But her pie was just chocolate pudding in a premade pie crust and topped with Cool Whip. That’s the extent of my baking skills. But at least it makes me feel like my grandma is still here with us during the holidays.

Most of my characters also find themselves without family during this time of year. Blossom and her young son are an example, but no worries… she meets a sexy alien who takes them into his home and gives them the most magical Christmas ever.

What’s your favorite holiday dessert or memory?

Blossom has struggled all her life, never able to claw her way out of the worst neighborhood in Los Angeles. Her loser ex-boyfriend isn’t who she thought he was, and now she’s in deep trouble — but Christmas is the time for miracles, and Blossom needs one now more than ever. She just doesn’t expect her miracle to arrive in such a sexy, purple package. When the notorious alien actor Brexton knocks on her door, she does what any rational woman would do — she slams it in his face. Wishing for a miracle is one thing, but having the heartthrob of Hollywood on her doorstep isn’t what she had in mind.

Brexton has always wanted a mate and family, though he’s never been blessed with either. When he hears about a single mom who’s in trouble, he knows he can’t leave her to face her fate. Having a door slammed in his face hadn’t factored into his plans, but that one glimpse is enough for Brexton. He’d do anything to get another look at the sexy female with blue hair, and a body that would feature in all his future dreams.

Despite danger lurking around every corner, Brexton is determined to give Blossom and her children a Christmas they’ll always remember. Now that he has the family he’s always wanted, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe, and hopefully share the first of many holidays with his new mate and kids.

Jessica Coulter Smith is an acclaimed romance writer with a passion for storytelling. Her works showcase the power of love and its ability to transcend boundaries, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. With a unique writing style and perspective, Jessica continues to inspire and entertain readers from all walks of life.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Buy the book at Books2Read.

Winter Blogfest: Barbara Robinson

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $25 Amazon E-giftcard.

A Yule Log on the eve of the Winter Solstice

As a Christmas tree farmer’s daughter, I am fonder than most of holiday greenery. I still make my own wreaths and garlands, and I still go out to harvest a Christmas tree from our land each year. My husband and I bought a red pick-up back in April, and in a week or two we’ll be coming down off Folly Mountain looking like a 2023 version of those little trucks that decorate throw pillows and wall plaques in Christmas discount stores this time of year. Finding and decorating a Christmas tree is a cherished tradition, and I could write pages about the history, symbolism and beauty of evergreens, but today I thought I’d write about the yule log, and the part that this lesser-known tradition plays in my own holiday celebrations.

In its earliest guise, a yule log was a massive thing, dragged into a hall at the darkest time of the year, and meant to burn all through the yuletide celebrations. Pre-dating electricity by more than a millennium, the light from the yule log would have been an important reminder that that sun’s strength would soon increase, and light and life return to the land. Many charms and traditions grew up around the log, like saving a small piece from the previous year to light the new yule log, and some of these have survived with variations into modern times. Now, yule logs might be made from confectionary, or they might be ceramic decorations with electric lights, but some people still use an actual log, decorated with candles and greenery.

We use a birch log, in part because the white birch bark is decorative when paired with greenery and red or white candles, but also because it is deeply symbolic. The rune representing birch is Berkana (Beorc), and it is associated with fertility and new beginnings, holding the promise of the new year ahead. We usually decorate our yule log and leave it on display, then remove the greenery on the eve of the winter solstice so we can light the candles without risk of stray spark igniting the tinder-dry boughs and pinecones. We have been using the same piece of birch for many years now, saving the log and replacing the candles and greenery each yuletide.

After supper, I will light the candles, and watch them burn down until they are spent. In early Anglo-Saxon England, the eve of the winter solstice was known as Modranigt , the night of the Mothers, and it was a time to pay homage to the female ancestral guardian spirits who watch over families and are concerned with fate and destiny. I usually leave a small offering of food for these guardian spirits, in gratitude for their care and protection throughout the year. Though not actively scrying, I think about the year to come as I watch the yule log, and ideas will often come to me as I watch the candle flames dance. Once the candles have burned away, the yule log is safely stowed away for the next year’s celebrations. Lecouteaux, Claude. (2016) Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore Mythology and Magic. Inner Traditions, Vermont, USA.

For centuries, Gamekeepers have used their magical abilities to create a buffer between the creatures who dwell in the enchanted forest and the sleepy coastal town that sits in its shadow.

When Gamekeeper Stan Ross’s magic begins to fail, he must find out what went wrong, then fix it before the two worlds collide. His hit or miss magic has already led to a few close calls so he journeys to the Sacred Isle searching for answers and advice. Finding a cure proves elusive—until Stan encounters a kitchen witch who captivates him body and soul.

Lynnette Peters is healing from her own wounds, however, and it isn’t clear whether she’s ready to open herself to the possibility—or the peril—of love.

Barbara Robinson is a debut paranormal romance author who writes novels and short stories with an otherworldly flair. She is an unrepentant optimist who believes that lasting love is possible, and her stories feature happily-ever-after endings.

Most of her writing includes an element of magic, rooted in the cultural and spiritual traditions of pre-Christian Europe. She finds inspiration in myths and folktales, poems and ballads, historical sources and academic writing.

She also draws inspiration from nature. Barbara lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, in the shadow of ancient mountains that lie along the Bay of Fundy coast. New Scotland has a magic all its own, with mist covered valleys and wild, windswept shorelines. These rugged vistas shape her story settings, while providing the perfect backdrop for life with her husband, three hounds and a dragon (Pogona Vitticeps).

Facebook | Website

One Night Stands and Lesson Plans by M. Jayne LaDow – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. M. Jayne LaDow will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In the close-knit town of Marchfield, where gossip spreads faster than a teenager’s texts, English teacher Audrey Fremont and Algebra instructor Oz Taylor find themselves at the center of a scandal—and a romance neither saw coming.

A few too many drinks at Happy Hour and a glimpse of his infuriatingly sexy shoulders lead to a one-night stand that should have ended there—but didn’t. Relentlessly organized and a bit of a perfectionist, Audrey is horrified to discover that Oz is one of her new coworkers. Yet, stolen glances in the hallway, moments in the copy room, and snarky banter make keeping it “no strings attached” nearly impossible to maintain.

With meddling friends and nosy colleagues already placing bets on their romance, Audrey and Oz can’t ignore the chemistry simmering between them. But just when Audrey thinks she’s got everything under control, a surprise confession from Oz leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about love.

In a town where everyone’s watching, Audrey and Oz must decide: will they keep playing it safe, or risk their hearts on a love that could change everything?

Enjoy an Excerpt

“I picked up a guy, Val, and I took him home,” I said into the machine without daring to look at her.

A minute passed in silence. Sammy Kershaw twanged Third Rate Romance in my head while I pushed and prodded the levers and buttons, searching fruitlessly for the jammed paper.

Seconds ticked by slowly, and my anxiety grew until I couldn’t stand it anymore. I ducked my head out to look at her.

Val was gaping at me. Her mouth moved as if she tried to breathe air underwater. Finally, she managed, “WHAT?!”

I snorted at her expression. “It was irrational and completely unlike me. But I was blindsided, Val. He came into the bar, and he had these shoulders. Massive shoulders!”

Val gasped dramatically. “Oh no! Not SHOULDERS?!”

I glared at her. “You know my weakness.”

“I do,” Val nodded solemnly for a moment. “So what happened?”

“I asked him to drive Green Lightning to my apartment.”

“You never let anyone drive her! Not even me,” Val pouted.

“He didn’t even like her! He said she was ugly!”

Val’s hands fisted, and she hit the table. “Outrageous! What a jerk. I can’t believe you let a jerk drive her!”

“I’ll say it again. I was both wasted and irrational.”

“And hot for a bologna pony, apparently,” Val responded wryly.

I wiggled my eyebrows. “I may have offered to ride his stick shift.”

About the Author: M. Jayne LaDow is a playwright and author who leapt into writing romance after spending thirty-three years wrangling middle school English students. Her rom-coms are hilariously inspired by her years in education, where she was regularly pied in the face, sang classroom karaoke, and dressed up like characters from novels. She resides with her very patient husband, two brilliant yet snarky children, three cuddly rescue cats, a toe-biting tortoise, and a bearded dragon who judges her life choices from his terrarium.

Website | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Substack | Instagram | BookBub | The Story Graph | Goodreads
Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Secrets about My Favorite Genre by Pamela Spradlin Mahajan – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Pamela Spradlin Mahajan will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Secrets about My Favorite Genre

One thing I have learned as I make my way along this writing journey is that, no matter the genre, giving the reader a question they want answered is an important part of keeping someone invested in the story.

Initially it may seem plausible that only mysteries or thrillers need a compelling question—but that’s not really true. I first noted this truth while watching some particular series with my husband (I don’t remember which one and it doesn’t particularly matter for the sake of this argument). I asked a question out loud, something along the lines of, “But if she is in a relationship with that guy, why is she acting as if she is single?”

It wasn’t a particularly interesting or vital concern, but the character’s behavior created a sense of incongruence within me that I wanted to correct. One plus two equals three so why is this coming out to four? Setting up even a small question your readers want answered, whether the genre you write in is romance, historical, or mystery, is a great way to hook them.

I took this idea for A VERY RETRO CHRISTMAS and ran with it. While there is a heartwarming romance at the center of my story, there is also a bit of mystery and scandal. I set this up early by demonstrating conflict between two characters. Why don’t they get along? Why does she treat her daughter-in-law so poorly? This question is answered later in the book.

So one of the secrets of any genre is to confuse your readers a bit, knock them off balance, and give them a question—even the smallest one—that they want answered. Then drag it out a bit and deliver the payoff of an answer at the climax of your book. It’s a surefire way to keep them turning the page.

What if the future you always dreamed of, was actually in the past?

Social worker Cat has no intention of falling in love or getting married—much to her mother’s chagrin. While mourning her paternal grandmother’s passing, Cat opens an heirloom left by the matriarch—a coveted Christmas ornament—and finds herself transported to December 1936.

Handyman Eli spends his days doing odd jobs around town and his nights hammering away on his house—whatever it takes to keep his mind off the awful year he’s had. When a mysterious young woman drops into his life seemingly overnight and wants to rent his guest house, he is at first annoyed and then more than a little intrigued.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Cat stared into the young face of what was certainly her Grandma Lana. How was this possible? Minutes ago, Cat had been unpacking the contents of what remained of her grandmother’s Christmas decorations—the grandmother who passed away a few months ago.

And now here she was sitting in what was supposedly her hometown with a young version of Lana—a version who looked to be in her late teens.

Had Cat finally lost her mind? Was that the explanation for all this? Had her grandmother’s death been too much for her to bear? Or had she contracted some sort of virus that a sturdy dose of pills could fix?

“Won’t your mother and daddy be expecting you home soon?” Maribel asked Lana.

“They’ll understand, once I explain what’s happened.”

Lana laid a hand on Cat’s shoulder and a feeling of warmth permeated Cat’s entire body. Cat studied her grandmother. She had clear, warm-toned skin without a wrinkle in sight. Her eyes were a clear blue, her cheeks were round, and her yellow-blonde hair was styled into a soft wave.

Lana’s dress was delightfully retro—a floral print number with a collar, buttons at the chest, and a matching fabric belt at her waist.

“What were you doing here with Eli earlier, Mar?” Lana said.

Maribel, who had vivid red lipstick and some kind of undergarment that made her chest look like two grenades ready to strike, pursed her lips. “Just trying to ease the man back into the dating pool.”

About the Author: Pamela Spradlin Mahajan is the author of women’s fiction and romance. Her debut novel, “Skye, Revised,” was released in early 2024. Pamela has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and creative writing from Missouri State University and a Masters from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Her recent short stories have appeared in the online literary journal “They Call Us” and she has been honored in the WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest. A native of Springfield, Mo., Pamela lives with her family in Kansas City, where in addition to writing women’s fiction and romance, she also works as a copywriter, journalist, and reseller.

Website | Instagram

Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Heroes, Holidays, and Hope by Laura M. Baird – Interview and Giveaway

We are chatting with Laura M. Baird who is visiting with us today to promote the upcoming release of HEROES, HOLIDAYS, AND HOPE, Volume 2, written by a group of Veterans and Veterans’ family members who are also bestselling and award-winning romance authors. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift certificate.

Sacrifice. Valor. Patriotism.

They fought courageously on the battlefield. Now they’re fighting for love.

We are a group of Veterans and Veterans’ family members who are also bestselling and award-winning romance authors. We are back with Heroes, Holidays, and Hope: Volume 2, our second limited edition, military holiday romance collection that also supports Soldiers’ Angels. Their mission is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.

Do you believe in Halloween magic? The stories are contemporary military romances taking place around and during Halloween. From closely held secrets, to ghosts, sexy adult costume parties, and things that go bump in the night – this a bewitching “must have” collection. With various tropes and steam levels, there is something for every reader to enjoy.

Come out from the shadows and pick up your copy today (gift some copies too!) – together we can make a huge difference.

Participating authors include: Laura M. Baird, Caterina Campbell, Lynn Spangler, D.C. Stone, Sadira Stone, Dania Voss

Laura is the second oldest of four who grew up in Florida, since her family moved there from Virgina when she was three.

“My sister and I fought like cats and dogs for a period of time in our early teens, but we’ve become the best of friends, texting every day,” she said. “She still lives on the East Coast while I’m on the West Coast.”

Laura has been published since 2017 and is honored to have become an award winning and best-selling author of nearly forty contemporary romances. She is also a US Army veteran.

In many of her books, she includes either a military or veteran element, but she began writing military romances in 2020. 1001 Dark Knights put out a call for lesser-known authors to contribute a story of 5K words that would be published in an anthology that would be offered to readers for free, for three months.

“They wanted to help authors gain exposure, which was marvelous!” she said. “And of course I jumped on the opportunity; and my story, Love and Honor, was among the stories chosen.”

It didn’t take long before other stories came to her, and she published the first volume of her MILITARY ROMANCE COLLECTION. It is offered free at digital retailers.

“I want to entice readers to jump into my series and be eager for more,” she explained. “And with nearly every anthology in which I contribute a story, it’s one more that will eventually become part of another volume in my series.”

Her story contribution to HEROES, HOLIDAYS, AND HOPE – Volume 2, “Promise It’s Forever, is an enemies-to-lovers, age gap with fun, snarky banter.

“I had envisioned it to be a spicy one, but as the story unfolded, I didn’t feel it appropriate to slip in a sex scene just for the sake of having a sex scene,” she told me. “Very unlike me NOT to have a spicy romance scene.”

As a child, she thought she wanted to do a lot of things: teacher, nurse, photographer, helicopter pilot, scuba diver.

“I remember watching the National Geographic channel with my parents, thinking how cool it’d be to travel the world and take pictures of different places, people, animals. Then I wanted to fly helicopters for a search and rescue team,” she said. “My biggest reason for joining the Army was to fly, but the recruiter wasn’t about to tell me I’d never make the reach requirements. He said, ‘I can get you on the flightline.’ And he did.”

She became an electronic repair person for equipment in fixed winged aircraft.

“Boy, was I naive,” she admitted. “But I wouldn’t have changed a thing, because it led to terrific experiences and lifelong friends; and most importantly, meeting my hubby and having a wonderful family.”

She and her husband met while they were both serving in the Army at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, and have been married for thirty-four years. After they got out of the army, they settled in Idoho (where he was from) and began their family.

She told me that she was an extreme introvert in school, with a handful of close friends.

“I would’ve loved to have been more outgoing and encouraged to try a sport or a club… something. I know my shyness and reluctance to stray from my small sphere carried on into adulthood. It becomes ingrained in a person,” she explained. “But my husband has helped me throughout our marriage to step beyond perceived boundaries. He encouraged me to return to school for dental hygiene in my late 20s.”

Laura started writing in her mid-20s, but with family and going back to college, she set it aside. It wasn’t until she was in her mid-40s that she started thinking about writing more seriously.

“Between learning the craft, the market, and the publishing industry, it was overwhelming,” she admitted. “All I could do was try, and if something didn’t work, I’d try another way. Every step has been a learning process, and I continue to learn as each year passes.”

She writing schedule is very varied. While she was still working as a dental hygienist, she would make time whenever she could, mostly on the weekends. Once she reduced her hours, she would discipline herself to dedicate hours to writing, depending on how her WIP as flowing – some days she’d be more motivated in the morning, other days it would be in the evening.

Now that she’s no longer working outside the home, she typically starts her day with a stretching routine and some sort of workout. She tackles any needed chores (laundry, food prep) followed by a shower then writing.

“If my flow is good, I can literally spend hours on my laptop,” she said. “I have to force myself to get up every hour to stretch and move around, walk my stairs a few times, otherwise I’ll pay for it later with a stiff neck or aching back. Then there are some days I don’t write at all, whether I’ve hit a wall or my time is occupied with errands, appointments, or helping my mom (shopping for her or taking her to appointments).”

“What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?” I wondered.

“The elements I look for in a good book are character development and effortless flow. When I can read a story that completely consumes me, makes me feel invested for the characters, and makes me realize three hours just went by in the blink of an eye, that’s great writing. When I write, I picture my story unfolding in real life, as if I’m part of the story. I put myself in each character’s POV to see what’s happening, feel their emotions, and how they’re going to react to any given situation. I want good flow. I can be a bit anal when it comes to details, so I have to ask myself, what’s really relevant to this scene/story? What’s going to keep the reader either engaged or skimming through.”

Recently, she was asked to join a shared world project involving shifters in a major city, and the common elements in each story was a particular bar and a Shiftergoverning agency.

“Now it’s up to me to decide what shifter will be my main character. Will it be both MMC & FMC? What kind of shifter? What are their abilities? What predicament do they find themselves in and how do they resolve it? I’ve barley begun to write out some notes, but I’m getting very excited to see what I can come up with and if it’ll be worthy of the shared world.”

She’s also currently working on two novellas, both with wedding themes, that will be included in upcoming anthologies.

“For two years, I’ve really loved writing for anthologies in order to challenge myself as well as gain new exposure, find new readers,” she explained. “I’ve got loose notes for the stories, so it’ll take more fleshing out, but one involves a wedding crasher. He finds it exciting and interesting to slip into wedding venues and observe the bride, groom, and attendees. He encounters one of the bride’s maids who is a bit older and a lot jaded about love. An age-gap, reverse grumpy/sunshine. And of course, eventually he’s going to change her mind about finding love again.”

I asked her to describe her writing space.

“I move around throughout the house when I write, depending on what hubby’s doing and if I need complete solitude. Several years ago, we remodeled my office, and I love it. Light hardwood floors, pewter paint, and scenic pictures of the US on the walls. It’s where I used to spend much of my time on my PC. But lately I’ve preferred my laptop. If hubby’s watching TV or YouTube videos and I need the quiet, I’ll close myself in our front room, kick back on the loveseat, and write. There are times when I can concentrate regardless of what hubby’s watching or listening to, and I just like to spend time in his presence. When that’s the case, I settle into my glider rocker and write while he’s relaxing in his Lazy-boy.”

Finally, I asked, “What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?”

“First and foremost, I’d say, write what you love, because it comes from your heart and soul, and you’d strive to do your best. There are many components to writing: the craft itself, the technicalities; the beginning, middle, and end. Then there is the lyrical side; setting a scene, evoking emotions, engaging the reader. There’s also knowing what niche your work would fit into, in the publishing industry. Are you a writer who wants to appeal to the masses or a very select readership? There’s a wealth of advice out there, so it can feel overwhelming, but finding what works for you is most important. If you can only spare an hour a day to write, then make the most of that time. If you can view tutorials online or listen to podcasts or read about others’ journeys to give you an idea of what it means to be a writer, then do it. Also, read other works in the genre in which you want to write, getting an idea of what’s out there so you can bring your fresh perspective to the arena. There is no one perfect way to write and start your journey. The important part is to start.”

Website | Instagram | BookBub | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Heroes, Holidays, and Hope Project | Soldiers’ Angels

Buy the book at your favorite online venue.

Teacups and Temptations by Kate Ellington – Spotlight and Giveaway

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

Molly Merriwether readily accepts an invitation to Waverly Hall, eager for adventure and amusement with her best friend. She never expected to be left unchaperoned with three intriguing young gentlemen for weeks.

Roger Bailey, recuperating in more ways than one, avoids Molly until her kindness and humor tempt him to deepen their acquaintance.

Molly lands in one unlikely escapade after the next with Roger and soon considers him a friend—perhaps more—but the barriers he puts up make it impossible to truly know him. Has she only imagined those tender looks in his eyes?

For a chance at love, Molly will need to bare her innermost self and trust someone more deeply than she’s ever dreamed possible.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Not having chaperones has made it all the more interesting.” Molly glanced outside, where the men stood in a circle talking.

“Auntie’s going to be so upset when she finds out,” Caroline said.

“Perhaps she never will.”

Caroline clicked her tongue. “Of course she will. She’ll tell our parents.”

“Then we’d better enjoy ourselves while we still can.”

About to sip her juice, Caroline set the glass down. “I know that look, Molly. What are you planning?”

“Oh, I just thought we might have a poke around while the gentlemen are otherwise occupied.”

Outside, the men had set out across the field toward the kennels.

“We’ve done enough poking around,” Caroline said. “We’ll probably get lost again.”

“No. We’ve done enough poking around that we won’t get lost. And there’s that arched door we saw in the east wing other day.”

“It’s most likely a broom closet.”

Molly rose, leaving her napkin on the table. “It’s in the corner of an empty room on the third floor.

And with such an elaborate door? There were vines engraved on it.”

“The room wasn’t empty—it looked like an old sewing room. I’m sure it’s nothing of interest.”

“We won’t know until we look.”

“You’re doing this no matter what I say, aren’t you?” Caroline asked.

“You don’t have to come.” Molly gave her an angelic smile as she backed toward the door.

About the Author: Kate grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.

After graduating from college she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.

Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Away with Shadows by M.M. Skye – Spotlight and Giveaway

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

Sharon Gable, a seasoned interior designer in Columbia, South Carolina, swears off love after ending a relationship filled with deceit. She focuses on expanding her business with her best friend and avoiding romance until she’s unexpectedly set up with architect Bradley DuPont at an engagement party. Despite her resistance, Sharon finds herself drawn to Bradley’s undeniable charm and rugged allure.

Bradley, back in town to care for his ailing grandfather and manage the family business, is burdened by his West Coast job and familial obligations. Yet, Sharon captivates him like no other, offering a respite from his tumultuous family dynamics.

As their connection deepens, they must confront external forces bent on sabotaging their happiness. Will Bradley persuade Sharon that their attraction is worth exploring, or will malicious schemes tear them apart?

For fans of contemporary romance dipped in southern charm, “Away with Shadows” delivers a captivating tale of love and loss, resilience of spirit in the face of adversity, and familial complexities against the backdrop of Columbia, South Carolina, and Paris, France.

Enjoy an Excerpt

At thirty-one years old, Sharon worked particularly hard alongside her partner to maintain the prestige and respect of their company. In the last five years, she and her partner had grown their interior design business to well over five and a half million dollars in revenue, and it was still growing. They experienced both the highs and lows of being successful women, especially as women of color, but they never let that dictate their success. People from the United States and Europe contracted with the pair.

Watching her parents work hard to provide for her taught her from an early age to not let societal stigmas stop her from accomplishing what she wanted to do in life. In addition, being an only child made her self-sufficient.

When she was eight years old, her parents died in a car crash, turning her life completely upside down. The police report showed the accident occurred when her father swerved to avoid hitting a deer while they were coming back from visiting his best friend and his family in Savannah.

A firm knock at the door interrupted her from her daydream. Sharon hadn’t noticed her friend standing in the doorway of her office.

“Hello, are you still in the land of the living?” asked Kera. She leaned on the door post with her coffee mug in one hand and her purse in the other.

Sharon turned and replied, “Oh Kera, you scared me. I apologize. I was just watching this elderly couple out on the street. You should have seen them. They looked cute together.”

Kera swiftly walked over to the window. “Are you sure it was the elderly couple you were watching or were you daydreaming about you know who?”

Kera Prescott was her best friend and co-owner of Prescott Gable Interior Design, LLC, which they’d run for the past ten years. It seemed only natural for the two women to go into business together after graduating with honors from the New York School of Interior Design.

Kera was a beautiful, slender-faced woman, with oval-shaped eyes. She wore her hair in a pixie cut style that complemented her high cheekbones and the dimple between her right cheek and upper lip. Unlike Sharon, Kera was an athlete at heart. She was the captain of her high school and college volleyball team. She was three inches taller than Sharon and curvy in the hips.

The two were nominated best looking and voted most likely to be successful. As young girls, they did everything together and were inseparable.

“What?” said Sharon. “No. Girl, you know me better than that.”

“Okay. Then besides the older couple, what had you so deep in thought that you didn’t answer my question,” Kera asked.

“Question? What question are you talking about?” She was completely clueless.

Kera folded her arms and stared at Sharon with one eyebrow raised as she walked over to fill her cup from the Keurig machine.

“Look, if you think you’re going to get out of this one, think again, missy. It has been three months since we’ve had any fun together, and this time, you’re coming. No excuses.”

“What is it this time?” Sharon sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes as she walked back to her seat.

Kera looked at her with empathy. “I just want you to have some fun for a change.”

Sharon drew in a deep breath to say that she would give in to whatever event or trip her friend had planned for them, when she spotted the bright light reflecting off her friend’s hand.

Kera held out her hand to show Sharon her engagement ring. Sharon could hardly contain her emotions. She placed her hands on her cheeks and yelled with joy. Both women jumped up and down together, screaming with excitement. It was difficult for either one of them to speak.

“Would you be my bridesmaid?” asked Kera.

“Yes, you know I will! First, I want to know when this happened, and why I’m just now seeing this!” She looked at the ring with extreme happiness for Kera as they sat on the sofa in her office.

Kera’s smile was radiant. Sharon could tell she was overjoyed and waited patiently as her friend tried to gather her thoughts so she could tell her what took place.

About the Author
M.M. Skye is an entrepreneur and contemporary romance writer. A native of South Carolina. M.M. Skye has a diverse background in education and business. With her passion for storytelling and a love for cultural diversity, M. M. Skye’s books offer a unique blend of romance and cultural immersion.

You can find her with a book or a pen and paper somewhere ready to create unique characters and stories the reader can relate to. Her passion for writing began in middle school when she read her first novel. It wasn’t until high school when her tenth-grade honors English teacher encouraged her to major in English, that she began weaving tales.

Her time at Voorhees University gave her the extra knowledge she needed to hone her craft.

Away with Shadows is her debut novel.

You may follow Author M.M. Skye at the following social media sites.

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Website | Amazon Author Page

Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Katie Walsh by Colleen L Donnelly – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Katie Walsh expects to write a love story someday. The hero resembles her father, and the heroine the deceased mother she never knew but imagines from the longing on her father’s face.

Katie doesn’t expect her father to be murdered, or his will to leave their farm to Guy Knowles, the man she hoped to marry, and order her to another state. Betrayed by the men she trusted, what should have become a love like no other withers and dies.

Until Ted Howard, who doesn’t fit the hole Guy left in her heart. Instead, he fits himself into what she needs—someone who will stay, protect her, and break his own heart for her if needed.

Enjoy an Excerpt

When our neighbor, Guy Knowles, began to drop by and take me for long but mostly silent walks across Papa’s pasture, I wondered if my parents had done the same thing and if my excitement mirrored what my mother’s might have been. Did she, like me, translate every quiet step into tender words? Did she see lifelong devotion on Papa’s face then, like I watched for it now on Guy’s?

I expected my love story—the one I would write and the one I would live—to be like theirs. What I didn’t expect was that both stories would begin the day a stranger came to my door and told me my father had just been killed. Killed, not died.

Nor did I expect this tale of “A Love Like No Other” to reach full bloom in a tiny jail cell far away.

About the Author:

Colleen L Donnelly was born and raised in the US Midwest but ventured to other parts of the country as an adult to experience life from other perspectives. Besides writing, she spends time outdoors, antique hunting, reading, or watching a good movie. Even though she retired from a career in laboratory science, she is never bored and always busy at something.

BookBub | Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon Author Page | Twitter,/cente>
Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mature Couples and Romance by Tory Richards – Guest Post and free book

Mature Couples and Romance
…and a free ebook!

Do you ever think of mature couples and romance? Or wish there were more romance books out there that depicted older people? I’m talking about people over forty—people who didn’t find love when they were younger, or maybe they’re divorced now and find themselves single and starting over. Maybe they had a long-term illness they had to battle most of their lives or were waiting for a prisoner-of-war to return home who didn’t. When I divorced my first husband after 20 years of marriage, I didn’t want another partner. I couldn’t even imagine starting over with someone else. And I really didn’t want someone else in my life.

But it happened—and I wasn’t even looking for it. I eventually found myself going to dances on the weekends. I wasn’t looking for a husband, just someone to spend time with and have fun. That’s where I met husband #2 at a church dance. He was 30 years older than me but looked much younger, and I couldn’t keep up with him! He loved life and it kept him young. We traveled, went dancing on the weekends, and had 17 years together.

With the thought in mind that there are women out there who are my age and would like to read a romance they could relate to, I decided to write a steamy novella centered around a mature couple. Mia is in her forties and King is in his fifties. Both are divorced and living in a small town up north. Maine to be exact, is where I’m from.

King released today.

The story is different from what I’ve been writing the last few years. So, it may flop for my readers who expect filthy-talking bikers and motorcycle club drama. Hopefully in time I’ll find a new audience who likes the kind of story like King. Not a second chance romance but another chance at love story. By the way Maine Silver Foxes will be a series of novellas and Cody, book #2 will be out later next year.

In the meantime, I will continue with my Biker Next Door Series and Tank, book #3 will be out early-to-mid 2025.

Now…everyone is a winner! I’ve included a code below for a free copy of my romance Kiss Me on Smashwords. Kiss Me is a full-length contemporary, small-town romance and the very first book I had published in my writing career. It’s recently been revised, updated, and received a new cover.

Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=kiss+me+by+tory+richards
Promotional price: $0.00
Coupon Code: YY24L
Expires: December 5, 2024

I hope you enjoy Kiss Me and thank you in advance for leaving a review.