Books Revisited ~ Debra St John's Challenge: #sellathousand

Please give a warm welcome to Debra St John who is allowing us to Revisit with her book New Year's Eve at the Coral.

And she is starting th2017 off with a bang... and a challenge.  Read on -- and don't miss out on the opportunity to take part in her fabulous offers.

The Challenge: #sellathousand

When I submitted this story, my editor told me books of this length don't sell well. My immediate thought was how fun it would be to prove her wrong. (In the best way possible!)

Almost immediately an idea began to form. As crazy as it sounds, I decided to challenge myself to sell a thousand copies of this book.  Why a thousand, you ask? Simply because a hundred didn't seem like enough (LOL).

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee (and I'm not even talking about one of those fancy frou frou ones) you can help me win this personal challenge. All you have to do is buy a copy of the book.  (Passing word of the challenge along to your reader friends would be appreciated, too.)

New Year's Eve at The Corral

Blurb:

Tina Perkins thinks falling in love with your best friend is a tired cliché. She's had a flirty friendship with Nick Jameson forever, and she likes it that way. Until she's dared to sleep with him and suddenly can't stop thinking about what it would be like to cross that friends to lovers line.

Nick wants Tina. Badly. New Year's Eve is the perfect time to make a resolution to get her into his bed. He doesn't want to ruin the friendship they share, but adding 'with benefits' to the label would make things perfect.

As the clock ticks closer to midnight, there's a lot at stake. Will a night of passion ruin everything or lead to a lifetime of love?

* * * * * * *


Tina and Nick have been flirty friends for years. All of their friends at The Corral are always teasing them about hooking up. Here's a little peek at a text conversation between Tina and one of the other waitresses, Darla.
DARLA  Wanna catch a movie before our shift tomorrow?
TINA  Nick and I are planning on seeing one. You can come along if U want 2.
DARLA  No thx.
TINA  Y not?
DARLA  Don't want 2 interrupt your cozy 2some.
TINA  What evs. Seriously, come along.
DARLA  Nope. Wouldn't want to be in the way in case you 2 finally leave your life of denial behind and start to make out or something.
TINA  That's not going to happen. We're just friends.
DARLA  Riiiight. And I'm Prince Harry's new girlfriend.
TINA  Oooh, is he as sweet in person as he appears in the press?
DARLA  Hardy har har. Don't change the subject. When are U and Nick going to hook up? U know U want 2. HE wants to. Just give in 2 the inevitable.
TINA  Not gonna happen. We're FRIENDS.
DARLA  Do U believe yourself when U spout that nonsense?
TINA  Are U going 2 come with us or not?
DARLA  Nope. 3's a crowd and all that.
TINA  Give it up, will U?
DARLA  I can't wait til the day I get to open a big ol' can of I told you so.
TINA  Don't hold your breath.

* * * * * * *

You might be thinking: What's in this for me? Well, I'll tell you...

First, you get to read a great story! You also have the chance to win  some prizes. (And who doesn't love prizes?) If you buy a copy of the book, if you tell a friend (or two or three or ten....you know, like those old commercials: And she told two friends and she told two friends and so on and so on...), if you Tweet about the challenge or post about it on Facebook, or if you leave a comment here, you can earn Rafflecopter entry points.

The winner of the Rafflecopter drawing will get a paperback set (autographed of course!) of the original Corral series:

This Time for Always,

This Can't Be Love,

and

This Feels Like Home

(If you're outside the continental U S of A the set will be digital.)

AND digital copies (in the format of your choice) of the first four books in the Holidays at The Corral series

Christmas,

Valentine's Day,

Fourth of July,

and

Halloween.

So, what are you waiting for? Go grab a copy of New Year's Eve at The Corral !

TWRP:         

Amazon:

B & N:

Happy Reading and many, many thanks for participating in my challenge!

Rafflecopter Links 1:

Rafflecopter Links 2: 

P.S. If you can't wait to find out if you've won copies of the holiday books, they are on sale for half price for  most of the month of January 2017.

 

Books Revisited with Sue Ford

Please welcome SM Ford who gives us another chance to visit her book ALONE

 

ALONE

Why I wrote the book

When I was a teen, I fell in love with romantic suspense books. I liked smart female heroines in dangerous situations, imperfect heroes, and tension and suspense. Since that time the inspirational fiction market has become really strong, and I decided to share my faith as those books do. I hope my story would meet the approval of that teen self. 

 ISBN 978-1-62135-549-6

ASIN: B01HR7O0Y0

 Description

Ready for adventure in the snowy Colorado mountains, Cecelia Gage is thrilled to be employed as the live-in housekeeper for her favorite bestselling author. The twenty-five-year-old doesn’t count on Mark Andrews being so prickly, nor becoming part of the small town gossip centering on the celebrity. Neither does she expect to become involved in Andrews family drama and a relationship with Simon Lindley, Mark’s oh so good-looking best friend. And certainly, Cecelia has no idea she’ll be mixed up in a murder investigation because of this job.

 Will Cecelia’s faith in God get her through all the trouble that lies ahead?

Teaser

I know I should go to bed. But how can I? Instead I want to cry or scream or have some feminine fit to protest the reality of this evening and have someone sympathize with me or hold my hand or hold me in their arms . . . But I’m alone. Alone, as I’m afraid I’ll be the rest of my life. And there is no one to call. Simon is out of town and Mark . . . Mark is in jail.

EXCERPT

I know I should go to bed. But how can I? Instead I want to cry or scream or have some feminine fit to protest the reality of this evening and have someone sympathize with me or hold my hand or hold me in their arms . . . But I’m alone. Alone, as I’m afraid I’ll be the rest of my life. And there is no one to call. Simon is out of town and Mark . . . Mark is in jail.

Remembering the town’s small police station with its two cramped cells, I shudder. Each stark chamber is only six by eight feet. The bed, a concrete shelf covered by a thin plastic mattress. No chairs. In the corner behind a half wall are a lidless toilet and a miniature sink. The cells are only meant to be temporary holding tanks for drunks or lawbreakers of minor crimes. Not for an accused murderer. Not for Mark!

The clock strikes the hour: two in the morning. I’m pacing again. I force myself to stop. With a shaking hand I push an escaped strand of hair out of my eyes. The room is as cold as the snow falling outside. Maybe a cup of hot chocolate would help. I can’t go to sleep the way I am and I don’t know how to pray anymore.

I switch off the living room lamps and make my way to the kitchen. I’d forgotten what a disaster it is. The stove’s center island is littered with dirty coffee cups, a pile of limp tea bags on a saucer, crumpled napkins, spoons resting in untidy brown circles on the shiny surface. Mark had been hospitable to the men who’d taken him away. Fighting tears, I put the lid back on the instant coffee and screw it down tight.

I throw away the garbage, load the dishwasher, and put coffee and tea back in the cupboard. The dishrag is cold and soggy in the bottom of the sink. I rinse it with warm water and go to work on the stains on the cream-colored counter top. Maybe the harder I scrub, the better I’ll be able to block out the images in my mind of the body in its pool of blood in the study… and of Mark put in handcuffs and marched out to the waiting police car.

Bio
SM Ford writes inspirational fiction for adults, although teens may find the stories of interest, too.

 When she was 13 she got hooked on Mary Stewart's romantic suspense books, although she has been a reader as long as she can remember, and is an eclectic reader. Inspirational authors she enjoys include: Francine Rivers, Bodie Thoene, Dee Henderson, Jan Karon, and many more.

 SM Ford is a Pacific Northwest gal, but has also lived in the midwest (Colorado and Kansas) and on the east coast (New Jersey). She and her husband have two daughters and two sons-in-law and three grandsons. She can't figure out how she got to be old enough for all that, however.

 She loves assisting other writers on their journeys.

Social Media

Book Title:  ALONE

Author Website: www.smfordbooks.com

Author email: smfordwriter@gmail.com

Twitter: @smfordwriter

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SMFordBooks
 

Author Name: SM Ford

Publisher: Clean Reads
Blog RSS feed: http://www.smfordbooks.com/1/feed

BUY LINKS

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Alone-SM-Ford-ebook/dp/B01HR7O0Y0/#nav-subnav

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alone-sm-ford/1124041307?ean=2940158495786

iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/alone/id1129622915?mt=11

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/alone-74
 

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/650072

Quotes

"A great page turner. This was a good romance and yet a mystery. I often solve the mysteries before the villain is revealed. Not this one! To say it is a cliffhanger is an understatement." -anonymous on Amazon

"If you love mystery and Christian romance, this is the book to read! I loved the story line. I was hooked until the very end." - H. Shultz on Amazon

"A good read. The romantic in me couldn't put it down." Cindy on Amazon

"The story quickly drew me in, and I so enjoyed becoming acquainted with the characters and watching them grow. I'm ready for the next volume!" -Cathy on Amazon

"I very much enjoyed this book. I liked the way it started with the murder, then took you back in time to what led up to it. A fun read!" -Laurel on Amazon

"It was refreshing to read something where the main character is thinking of God, praying, and thinking about how her faith relates to life." -Carol Riggs on Amazon

 

Opportunity for authors looking to promote backlists

New Beginings by Iris Blobel

The story is set in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, the most southern state in Australia. A most beautiful place. I went there a few years back and imagined how it would be to live in this city, how to adapt as a "non-local", and bit by bit I wrote the story of two sisters moving there.

Obviously, I added a little romance into the story as well – so I added Mark and Zach.

This is the second edition of NEW BEGINNINGS.

The story is now a bit sexier and has also received another edit.

Literary Chanteuse's review: "This author has a way of endearing her characters and it is easy to fall in love with them. An intriguing story with emotion, love and hope."

Sharon's review:"This was a very enjoyable read and it left me wanting just a little bit more. I highly recommend it."

"Other people have to fight battles in their life as well."

~~  New Beginnings ~~

(2^nd Edition)

by Iris Blobel

AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2a1BSJ7

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/29FTb4B

AMAZON AU: http://amzn.to/2a9yKgW

♥♦♥  SYNOPSIS ♥♦♥

The chance to start life all over with the help of a stranger.

Twenty-two-year-old Sophie Levesque has been guardian to her eight-year-old sister Mia since their mother's death a few years ago, and it hasn't been easy. Luck comes their way when they inherit a small house in Hobart. Problem is, though, they don't know and have never heard of Clara Bellinger, the testator. Settling into their new life, Sophie is still afraid it's all a mistake.

Mark O'Connor, attorney in Hobart and the bearer of the good news for Sophie and Mia, curses himself for the lack of information about the testator. However, researching the questions gives him an opportunity to see Sophie again, and the more time he spends with the two, the more he realises that his life is missing something. And it's not his casual lover Linda.

But then there's Zach, Sophie's sexy neighbour from across the road… and a very good friend of Clara's.

Will unravelling the mystery unravel Sophie and Mark's promise of a future?

♥♦♥ MEET THE AUTHOR ♥♦♥

IRIS BLOBEL

Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London as well as Canada where she met her husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper has only emerged recently, but now her laptop is a constant companion.

Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.

Next to her job at a private school, she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.

Social Media Links:

Click here to subscribe to Iris' Newsletter

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_iris_b

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4067254.Iris_Blobel

Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/iris_blobel/

Spotlight ~The Duke’s Bride by Lindsay Downs

The Duke’s Bride
Book 1 in The Radcliffe Family series

Blurb:
Who murdered his father and why does someone want him dead?
These questions torment Simon, The Duke of Kettering.
Even his mother has no idea.
Add to this problem, Simon’s desire for Lady Emma Carringham, the duchess’ companion, is growing daily.
Over time he knows she will make the perfect duchess for him.
That is, if he can keep her alive, himself also, for that matter.
Even letters saved by the late duke are of little help.
It’s not until Emma’s mother, Lady Sarah, arrives do all the pieces slowly come together.
They learn the late duke had gotten a young lady with child, a son. Later, the young man returned to France and fought with Bonaparte in Spain
Simon’s next question- Why now?
To that, no one had an answer.
At least now, thanks to Lady Sarah, they had a name-Justin Beaumont- to go along with a partial description of the man.
When Simon learns the man has left the district he relaxes the need for guards as his extended family descends upon the ducal estate for the impending wedding.
This decision proved unfortunate for his betrothed who, with her maid, footman and groom, visits the dress shop for a fitting of a specially made gown.
When Simon receives a note he knows to save Emma from the madman he will have to risk his life.
Safely returned to the ducal palace Simon can’t wait another second longer to marry Emma and does so with a newly acquired special license.

Excerpt - The Duke’s Bride

“I don’t know who you are. This is the private office of The Duke of Kettering. I order you to leave at once or I will be required to call for footmen to forcibly remove you.” The woman stood in the doorway, her eyes dazzling, her cheeks crimson in rage, and a stern tilt to her chin.

He bit back a smile. Did she think with her short stature that she would be taken seriously? Simon tightened his grip on the edge of the desk until his knuckles ached. He started to open his mouth to explain, and chastise her for interrupting him with her silliness until, she stepped over to the saber on the wall and drew the sword from its scabbard.

If this woman was his mother’s companion there was no question in his mind, she was insane.

He bolted out of the chair so fast it knocked against the wall. Simon rushed to the woman, stopping a few feet from her, a safe distance from the saber. She held the deadly sharp blade in her hand, pointed directly at his chest.

“I don’t believe a cavalry saber is the proper accessory for a young lady. Why don’t you relinquish it before one of us gets seriously injured?” He smiled, belying the tension in his gut.

“Not until you’re in a cell in the basement, awaiting whatever punishment His Grace deems suitable,” she snapped back, not even a sliver of fear in her eye or voice.

Simon appreciated the fact this young lady wasn’t a weak flower, but a strong tree. Unwilling to bend in a storm.

“Lady Emma, it is my great displeasure to present to you Simon, The Duke of Kettering.” His mother announced from the doorway.

Simon watched as the young woman’s cheeks flushed in a delicate pink. It took her three seconds to realize what she’d done, and she lowered the saber to her side. “I-I…” Her voice trembled.

He stared, wondering why there was an unexplainable ache in his body similar to the time he’d hit puberty and realized just how pretty women were, but this was different, somehow.

Clearing his throat, he stepped forward, composing himself. “If you don’t mind, I’ll relieve you of this.” He held out his hand and without hesitation, she placed the saber in his palm. He closed his fingers around the handle enjoying its warmth from her touch.

Returning the blade safely to the scabbard, he turned back to Emma who gave him a deep curtsey.

And then he did something without thinking of the consequences.

He gently cupped her elbow, straightened her, then led her further into the room. Much to his wonderment, his mother followed, frowning.

“Your Grace, please accept my humble apology for threatening you and holding you at the end of a blade.”

“There’s no need for an apology as I’m as much to blame as you are for failing to inform you who I was when we first met.”

“I agree. I feel as if I was at a serious disadvantage,” Emma mumbled.

“If you both have your wits about you—” the duchess said, “—which I doubt you do Simon, shall we retire to my parlor? We can discuss something which has not only concerned myself, but Emma as well, for the longest of time.”

 Buy Links-
US- http://tinyurl.com/jtfkwo2
UK- http://tinyurl.com/hda943l
CA- http://tinyurl.com/jlgjgxz
AU- http://tinyurl.com/jmouzl7
IN- http://tinyurl.com/j3lyuw3
 

About me-

I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.
So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.
My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.
With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.
Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.
My favourite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.
Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.
 Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.

Where you can find me-
Facebook- http://tinyurl.com/pgq8vzz
Facebook Pages- http://tinyurl.com/nresq5j
Twitter- @ldowns2966
LinkedIn- http://tinyurl.com/e8t56
Goodreads- http://tinyurl.com/prcdmml   
Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://tinyurl.com/kvfz468
Amazon- http://tinyurl.com/ktem76c

Love Finds a Way, The Album Book #2

Love Finds a Way

The Album Book 2 - Pauline’s Story 

Contemporary, Fantasy Romance 

By

Kathy Bosman

 

Blurb: 

When Ella hands over The Album to Pauline, the young food blogger is about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime—she’s been chosen as a contestant in The Culinary Dream, a TV cooking competition. Pauline takes The Album with her to Italy where the filming is to take place and meets food photographer, Xaden, the brother of the man who ripped out her heart and put her off relationships for a long time. 

To her dismay, she gets eliminated from the competition on the first round. Humiliated and determined not to be pitied by her friends and family, she decides to stay behind in Italy for a holiday as well as blog about her restaurant experiences in the exotic European country. 

Xaden won't leave her alone and proves to be a friend in a time of need but when he kisses her, she pushes him away, afraid he’ll hurt her like his brother did. The TV series offers her a job as the editor of the food magazine and she is to work alongside the very man she wishes to avoid. Forced to be with the man she can't resist but whom her instincts tell her she can't trust, Pauline is in for an emotional roller-coaster ride with The Album as her companion and guide.

 

Excerpt 1

Five taxis awaited them outside. She bit her lip, certain the crew would take their own taxi, but Caren ferried them to disperse and “get to know one another.”

Much to her distress, Xaden followed her and plonked himself right next to her in the taxi. Once the vehicle chugged out the airport, he placed his camera down at his side, took her hand, shook it roughly, and grinned. “Xaden Zander. And you?”

Zander.

Her mind frantically tried to place the very familiar surname while he stared at her, his face only a foot from hers, so smooth, so confident, and so easy-going. Tingles ran up her arm and she didn’t hold her suitcase with The Album. No magic this time. Pure, breath-robbing attraction.

“Zander. Um…Zander. Are you? You can’t be…?” Icy showers cascaded over her in one heart-rending second. Roan’s brother did have an unusual name. He’d mentioned him at times.

Xaden is Roan’s brother?

“I’m…?” Once again, he seemed amused at her expense.

“You’re Roan’s brother, aren’t you?”

He narrowed his eyes at her, the first sign of any emotion except for upbeat and exuberant. “I prefer not to be judged through the eyes of any woman who’s come into contact with Roan.”

Oh, so he was aware of his brother’s sins?

“It’s hard not to…” His dark eyes became black holes. “…well, you do resemble him, come to think of it.”

Could explain the immediate attraction. Why couldn’t she get away from Roan and the memories he’d branded on her brain? Other women had many partners and got over them all. She’d slept with one guy who messed her around and she still drowned in the raging waters of his indiscretions.

Xaden gave off such a big presence. It filled the taxi, making the driver and the other contestant seated in front seem like an insipid spice that didn’t change anything about the taste of the meal. Xaden, instead, was the garlic, the onions, the bacon, or the rosemary.

But no, he measured up to ghost pepper in danger and heat level. Anyone only vaguely related to Roan should never touch her, even her knee or her back, but never, ever, her heart. She remained way too vulnerable for the likes of them.

 

You've read the blurb, scrutinised the excerpt, now click on the link to enter Kathy's rafflecopter giveaway...

 

rafflecopter giveaway:

Author Bio:

Kathy lives in South Africa, where the summers are hot, the winters cool and bugs thrive. She writes romance in many forms, most of the time with women who feel deeply, men who care strongly and characters who learn lessons along the way. Every so often, she sprinkles a little magic in her stories. When she’s not writing, she makes sure her kids work hard as they do school at home, tries not to get too distracted by dust bunnies and cooks up a storm to keep the tummies full. When she’s not hectically busy, she loves reading romance and fantasy novels, watching movies, and dabbling in different crafty things, depending on her mood.

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Finds-Way-Paulines-Story-ebook/dp/B01BNMW1B4

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/614697

Kobo Books: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/love-finds-a-way-2

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-finds-a-way-kathy-bosman/1123406511?ean=2940152623901

 

Online Links for Kathy:

Website and blog: http://www.kathybosman.com/

Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/KathleenBosman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathleenLBosman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5257900.Kathy_Bosman

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/gracewalk17

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Bosman/e/B007GCQBNK

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxifimh0X62uZLvKkon8tDQ

Newsletter Subscription: http://eepurl.com/NokET

Authorgraph: https://www.authorgraph.com/authors/KathleenLBosman

 

Vickie McCombie ~ A New Beginning

A New Beginning

 
When grief pulls her life apart, will she seek a new beginning, or will fear keep her from finding a forever kind of love?

Can her new infant son and a friendship with a naval officer offering more, give her the chance for a new beginning?

 

 Buy Link

 

 Add to Goodreads

 

 

 

Blurb:
On the day Nanci discovers she’s going to have a baby, she receives the devastating news every Navy SEAL’s wife never wants to hear. Her husband’s death sends her into the depths of despair. As she struggles to accept, she’s grateful for the support from the officer assigned to her.

Will she turn to God letting Him show her the path to a new beginning, or will fear of loving and losing keep her locked in the past?

When Lt. Daniel Foster’s appointed to assist a SEAL’s widow, the last thing he expects is a woman who can break through the barricade guarding his heart. As he helps her with the aftermath, he offers her a shoulder to lean on, but would like to offer more.

Should he allow their friendship to blossom and trust God will show him lowering his defenses is the only way to love?

 

Excerpt:
After setting Tiger on the slate floor, Nanci checked her voice mail on the home phone, but still no call from Bryan. Of course, his mission was a secret, as usual. She had no idea what time zone he was in. It could be the middle of the night for him. After feeding the cat, she settled on the couch with the paperback she’d purchased earlier in the day. Tiger curled beside her, and she became engrossed in the book, especially the part concerning the first trimester of pregnancy.

The doorbell rang. 

How odd.

She couldn’t imagine who it could be. Probably some kids selling something. 

But a rush of anxiety flooded her system as icy prickles raced along her arms.

The doorbell rang again. 

She laid her book down, went to the door, and used the peep hole to look out. Three men in Navy uniforms stood on her front porch. 

Her heart caught in her throat. 

Three men usually meant bad news, especially naval officers. 

No, maybe they have the wrong house. Maybe they’re collecting money for some type of charity. 

Anything but what it might mean. 

Her body began to shake. 

Her knees grew weak. 

No, no! She would not allow those terrifying thoughts to enter her consciousness even for a moment.

Nonetheless, her hand trembled as she opened the door. Her voice shook as she said, “Hello. W-what can I d-do for you?”

The older officer removed his cover, tucking it under his arm. “Good afternoon, we’re here to see Mrs. Bryan Bowman.”

“I’m Mrs. Bowman. Please, c-come in.” Terror gripped her as she showed them into the living room. 

Her mind screamed—Oh, God, please don’t let Bryan be hurt.

Author Bio:
Vikki McCombie started her writing career when a story invaded her mind and would not leave. Ever since then, the stories keep coming and writing is now her passion. Over the last five years, she has written well over a half dozen romances and is presently working on her next, while fighting off the other future characters shouting my turn!

Whether Vikki’s stories are contemporary or historical, she’s a romantic at heart and gives all her heroes and heroines a “happily ever after.” Her contemporary romances also have a strong inspirational element to them.

Vikki writes her historical romances under the pen name Vikki Vaught. Miss Kathleen’s Scandalous Baron is scheduled to release in the first quarter of 2016 and is the second book in her new Honorable Rogue series. 

Vikki lives in the beautiful foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with her beloved husband, Jim, who is the most tolerant man in the world to put up with her when she is in a writing frenzy. When she isn’t writing or working her day job, you’ll find her curled up in a comfortable chair reading her Kindle, lost in a good book with a cup of tea at her side. 

 

 

MEET and GREET

#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?

I definitely do! It’s a career that I am passionate about. There is nothing more exciting than finishing a scene that moves me to tears. I still recall the exhilarating feeling when I received the print copy of my first book in the mail. When I’m enmeshed in a new project, I wake up each morning anxious to get back to my keyboard and can write from dawn to dark, even into the night if the words are flowing. Writing is a career that I will be working at until I’m no longer in this world.

#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?

There are days when the words just will not come. It happens to all writers at times. What I do when it happens is take a break and read a good book. Some of my best inspiration comes when I am reading! 

#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with Your Writing Outside of Your Family?

Yes. I’ve been quite fortunate that several authors have taken me under their wing and helped me with the craft of writing. Two people come to mind immediately. Carolynn Sue Carey helped me tremendously in the early part of my career. Sue writes historical romance set in the Regency period and her knowledge of the period helped me immensely. KaLyn Cooper is one of my critique partners. She writes romantic suspense and her insight for writing action scenes has been invaluable.

#4 – What is next for your writing?

Presently, I’m doing research for the third book in my Honorable Rogue series. Lady Overton’s Perilous Journey is the first book in this series, which is available on Amazon. The second story, Miss Kathleen’s Scandalous Baron is written, and I’m working with a critique partner to get it ready for publication in the first quarter of 2016. And of course, I have a possible idea for a couple of spin-offs from A New Beginning for Nanci. There are two friends of Daniel’s that I’d like to write their story.

#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing? If so, what are you currently reading?

I certainly do! In fact, I have to be careful that my reading doesn’t interfere with my writing. I usually read one book on my Kindle and listen to another audio book at the same time. I read anywhere from 2 to 5 books a week, based on my writing schedule. Lately, I’ve been reading The Gansett Island series by Marie Force, and I’m really enjoying the books. Then I’m also reading some of Jo Beverley’s wonderful Company of Rogues books again. I also recently finished Grey by E.L. James and absolutely loved it! As you can see, I read several sub-genres of romance, and I’ve been known to throw in a history book into the mix as well!

DESCRIBE Your Book in 1 Tweet:

Will fear rule her heart, or will she grab a second chance for love? #contemporary #romance #inspirational

This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3?   iPd

#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla?   Chocolate

#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries?   French Fries

#4 – Comedy or Drama?   Drama

#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks?   Nicholas Sparks

#6 – Fantasy or Reality?   Reality

#7 – Call or Text?   Both

#8 – Public School or Home School?   Public School

#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate?   Coffee

#10 – eBook or Paperback?   eBook

 

SLY “BULLHORN” BRODSKY of the FIRST & TEN SERIES

 

 

TITLE –  SLY “BULLHORN” BRODSKY

SERIES –  FIRST & TEN

AUTHOR –  Jean C. Joachim

GENRE – Contemporary/Sports Romance

PUBLICATION DATE – Nov. 16, 2015

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 66,900 words

PUBLISHER – Moonlight Books

COVER ARTIST – Dawne Dominique

 

 

BLURB:

Sly “Bullhorn” Brodsky wished winning the heart of Samantha Drake was as easy as protecting his quarterback. A top offensive lineman in the NFL, Bull tried to live down his rep as a womanizer. Locker room chatter had elevated him to the level of “player” in more than football. But Samantha Drake, dark-haired, stunning sister of a teammate, didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Or did she?

On his best behavior, Bull pulled out all the stops to woo the reluctant beauty. He was making progress until a woman from his past reappeared. Tiffany, the one woman who broke his heart, is in trouble. Is Bull the only man who can help?

Samantha is overcoming her doubts about Bull until Tiffany arrives. Is the blonde really in hot water or does she just want another chance with the man she discarded?

Enjoy the return of your favorite First & Ten characters in this book, too. Surprises, twists, and football action scenes will keep you turning the pages. 

EXCERPT:

“I’m grubby. I need a shower,” she said, pushing to her feet to glance in the mirror.

The next image to take over his mind was stepping into a steamy shower behind Samantha. He blinked a few times and took a deep breath, hoping his thoughts wouldn’t inspire an erection.

“You okay? Were the boxes too much?” Her dark, chocolate brown eyes held concern.

He laughed. “You kiddin’? That’s nothin’. I take down guys ten times that weight in every game. Geez. What do you think? I’m a pussy or something?”

She made a face.

“Sorry. I need to clean up my words.” He sensed color in his face. He’d never had a girlfriend like Samantha Drake. She was smart, beautiful, and nice. She did volunteer work at the New Life Shelter for battered women and kids. But she wasn’t his girlfriend, only a friend. With no benefits. He sighed.

“My brother, Devon, talks like that too. You’d think football players never went to college.” She handed him a cold bottle of water.

He downed the liquid. “What’s next?”

She turned around in the room and sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “Bed, books, clothes, rocking chair. Hmm. How many boxes are still in the car?”

“Two.”

“Then that’s it. The place looks pretty empty.” She perched on the mattress, tucking her feet under her.

“You’ll have it furnished before you know it. Come on. I’m gonna bring those boxes up then take you out to dinner.”

“Thanks. Be right back.” Her thousand-watt smile turned his innards to jelly.

He sat in the rocking chair while Samantha washed the dirt off her luscious body. Or what he assumed was luscious. Sylvester “Bullhorn” Brodsky, known to his teammates as “Bull,” had the hots for Samantha Drake, and it was keeping him up nights. While he waited for her to want him back, his imagination ran through a half dozen things he’d like to do to her under the warming spray of hot water. She was a little slip of a thing, and he was huge. Six foot three inches tall and two hundred fifty pounds of pure muscle, the offensive lineman could lift her up with one hand.

SHORT SNIPPETS:

1. Denial of their physical attraction crumbled in the dead of the night, when truth can’t be easily sidestepped. She’d noticed him the first time he’d passed in the hallway. Then the second time, when on a search for her brother, she’d spied Sly draped in nothing but a towel in the locker room. Embarrassment had filled her cheeks as she’d scurried outside to wait for Devon. The lineman had simply laughed, showing no modesty at all.

            Sly Brodsky. Bull. Did she want him? Sam smiled to herself. Of course, she did. But she wasn’t about to tell anyone, especially him. She could barely admit it to herself. He appeared content to wait, which was fine with her. She enjoyed being in control. Still, to be honest, she wouldn’t make him wait forever. Only as long as she could stand to back away, even when she longed to lose herself in his arms and let him take her home.

2. Bull shifted his weight. Blood rushed to his face, and his palms

sweated. “This friend thing is great. But I’m interested in more than that. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

“Maybe. Don’t you have a girlfriend?” She tilted her head back to make eye contact.

“Nope. I haven’t dated anyone more than a couple of times in a long time.”

“Huh? I’m surprised. Thought football players had women crawling all over them.”

“Not the kind of women I want. I’m looking for a real woman, not a hook-up.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And what’s a ‘real woman’ like?”

“One-of-a-kind, like you.” 

LINKS:

AMAZON     AMAZON U.K.   

AMAZON CANADA 

 BARNES & NOBLE 

 ITUNES/APPLE 

 KOBO 
 PAPERBACK