Interview with Jana Richards, author of “The Girl Most Likely”

Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren, along with two university aged daughters and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou.

Interview with Jana Richards, author of “The Girl Most Likely”
Cara McLeod here, your host of our local events TV show, Rochester Noon. Today Finn Cooper will be my co-host as we interview writer Jana Richards. Jana is a special guest for us because she’s written a novella featuring Finn and me and our rocky road to happily ever after. Without further ado, let’s begin the interview.

Cara: Welcome Jana! Thank you for being our guest today.
Jana: Thank you for inviting me.

Finn: Is this your first time on live television? It’s a bit unnerving, isn’t it?
Jana (staring nervously at the camera): Yes, this is my first time. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Cara: (handing her a glass of water) It’s probably you. Now Jana, as I said, you’ve written a story about Finn and me called “The Girl Most Likely”. How did you come up with that title?
Jana: (takes a sip of water) You inspired it, Cara. In high school you were the girl voted most likely to have the perfect marriage, as well as being voted most likely to be running a Fortune 500 company by the time you were thirty. And since this story is about you and your fellow Class of ’85 classmates and your 25th high school reunion, the title seemed appropriate.

Cara: Yeah, well, those things didn’t pan out for me. My first marriage failed and I’ve never run any Fortune 500 companies.
Finn: (taking her hand) Maybe things didn’t turn out the way you envisioned in high school but in the end, things turned out great.

Cara: (smiling) They really did, didn’t they? Life doesn’t always give you what you want, but sometimes it gives you what you need.
Jana: Aren’t those the lyrics to a Rolling Stones song?

Cara: Jana, let’s get back to you. Why did you feel the need to tell our story?
Jana: When the call came for submissions for reunion stories from The Wild Rose Press, I looked at possibly writing the stories of some of your other classmates, but it was your story and Finn’s that really called to me.

Finn: Why us? What makes our story different?
Jana: Well, for a start, Finn, you’re eight years younger than Cara. That’s a little different from a typical romance novel couple. Then there’s the whole weight thing. I knew many readers would be able to relate to Cara’s struggle to lose weight and look good for her high school reunion, especially when her ex-husband was going to be there with his new hot, young girlfriend.

Cara: I had to shape up for the reunion. I still had a little pride left.
Jana: But what I found out in the writing of this story was that Finn could totally relate to Cara’s desire to lose weight. You could understand the struggle she faced to get fit, couldn’t you Finn?

Finn: Totally. I was once obese myself. Through healthy eating and exercise over a two year period, I lost 128 pounds.
Jana: No one looking at you now would believe you were once fat. It took unbelievable strength of character to get where you are now. You’re amazing, not to mention totally gorgeous.

Cara: (smiling fondly at Finn) Right on both counts, Jana. Finn is gorgeous and amazing. He’s also a terrific physical trainer as well. He helped me get in shape.
Finn: After I lost the weight I wanted to change everything about my life. So I become a trainer to help others get healthy.

Cara: (turning to Jana) What else besides Finn’s weight loss makes “The Girl Most Likely” a little different?
Jana: I think it’s different because rather than being an outsider in high school, you were one of the popular kids. In many reunion stories, an outcast in high school returns to triumph over the popular kids who were mean to him back then. I love those stories, but I wanted to tell your story because you were exactly the opposite. You were popular in high school and now you’re returning to the reunion as a loser.

Cara: (wincing) That’s harsh.
Finn: Cara’s never been a loser, and never will be.
Jana: Maybe not, but you felt like a loser, didn’t you, Cara? You worried that people at the reunion would either pity you or laugh at you because your perfect marriage failed, your perfect figure went south, and your career consisted of being a junior assistant at a TV station. Serving coffee to guests of Rochester Noon was hardly the career you’d envisioned for yourself in high school.

Cara: No, I thought I’d be an executive with a six figure salary by the time I was thirty. So much for that idea. But my marriage wasn’t a total waste. Even though it failed, I have two beautiful daughters that I’m very proud of.
Jana: I know you are and I think you’re a terrific mother. But what makes “The Girl Most Likely” really different is Finn’s secret.

Cara: Finn’s secret?
Finn: How did she find out about that? Did you tell her?
Cara: Well, I might have mentioned it in passing…
Finn: (groans) Does everybody know?
Jana: Only people who read the book. Or see this interview. Finn Cooper is an unusual romance hero because he’s a—

Finn: Cut to commercial! Quick!

Sherry, Jana here. Thanks for having all three of us on your blog today. I hope you enjoyed the interview!
Sherry:  I did indeed, thank you for visiting with us today And thanks too, to Cara and Finn for doing such a terrific interview.


Blurb:
Cara McLeod, the girl most likely to have the perfect marriage, is now divorced and, in her own words, “fat, frumpy, and over forty.” The thought of facing former classmates—and the ex-husband who dumped her—at her high school reunion terrifies her. Cajoled into attending by her kids and her best friend, Cara enlists help at the gym to lose weight and look great for the reunion. Personal Trainer Finn Cooper is more than willing to help—but does he have to be so to-die-for gorgeous?
Finn thinks Cara is perfect just the way she is. She’s everything he wants in a woman, except for one thing—she can’t get past the fact that he's eight years younger. To Finn, age and weight are just numbers. But can he convince Cara the numbers she worries about add up to only one thing for him—love?

Excerpt:
He chuckled. “Jessica better watch her back. You could give her a run for her money.”
He heard Cara’s throaty laugh, and various parts of his anatomy tingled in response. “Yes, that’s my evil plan. Take over Rochester Noon, then the world.”
“If you set your mind to it, I’m sure you could do it.”
“Thanks Finn.”
“For what?”
“For believing in me.”
“Are you going to be okay now?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you.”
He wanted so badly to tell her he loved her, adored her, thought she was the most amazing woman in the world. But fear stopped him. Was she truly over her ex-husband? Why else would losing weight for the reunion be so important to her if not to impress Peter?
“I’ve got to run. Thanks again. I’ll talk to you later at my condo, right?”
“Absolutely. I can hardly wait to hear about your big TV debut. Break a leg. Isn’t that what they say in show biz?”
She laughed. “Yeah, that’s what they say. Bye.”
Finn replaced the receiver and closed his eyes. He hoped everything went well with this interview. Cara deserved to realize how amazing she was.
If she did come to that realization, would there still be room in her life for him?

JANA WILL BE GIVING AWAY: one $20 GC to The Wild Rose Press to one randomly drawn commenter AND a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the goddessfishpromotions tour – the more you comment, the better their chances of winning.

The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/09/virtual-book-tour-girl-most-likely-by.html

 
Website: http://www.janarichards.net
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jana-Richards/157005711005866

Character Interview Series ~ Melanie and Liam talk to their author

Character Interview Series continued:

From Now Until forever Blurb:

For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?
Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window?

Interview:
SG: Melanie, tell us how you copped the assignment to protect a prince?
Melanie: As a member of the palace security I’d worked closely with his father, the king. He insisted I got the job of looking after Liam.
Liam: *mutters* I’m a grown man, I didn’t need looking after.
Melanie: *indignation* No? Then what about the day the insurgents nearly killed you?
Liam: That was one day, after three years of my managing just fine.

SG: *hiding a wry grin, she turns to Melanie* Had you met the prince before the assignment?
Melanie: I’d seen him around, but not been introduced to him. He prefers horses to people…
Liam: I did! I’ve admitted that, but not anymore. I know where my priorities lie now.
Melanie: *grins, and in an aside to me* It took a while, but he got there in the end.

SG: *turns to Prince Liam* How did you feel when you discovered Melanie was being paid to protect you?
Liam: I -what do the Americans say- 'plead' the 5th Amendment.

SG: You’re not an American, you can’t do that.
Liam: Very well, I am a prince. *He gives me a haughty stare –but his eyes are twinkling.*
Melanie: * gasps* Liam, you didn’t just say that! Apologise at once and answer the question.
Liam: *grins openly* No Mel, I’m not answering that question. If folk want to know my reactions then I suggest they buy From Now Until Forever to find out.

SG: *sighs, knowing when she’s beaten. One more question to Melanie, then.
Melanie: *nods in agreement*

SG: What did you think of Prince Liam’s homeland the first time you saw it.
Melanie: In a word? 'Awesome.' When I first saw those mountains, they reminded me of you and me, *she turns to Liam and grinned.*

SG: Explain.
Liam: *Stands and tugs on Melanie’s hand before speaking.* You said ‘one question’. That was it.

SG: * swallows another sigh.* Thank you both for your time.

SG: watches them leave and knows she’ll miss both of them.

Author Bio:
Multi-published author, Sherry Gloag is a transplanted Scot now living in the beautiful coastal countryside of Norfolk, England. She considers the surrounding countryside as extension of her own garden, to which she escapes when she needs "thinking time" and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel. While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there are no other walkers close by.

Apart from writing, Sherry enjoys gardening, walking, reading and cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office. She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic.

Thank you for visiting with Mel, Liam and myself, today.

Author website: https://www.sherrygloag.com

Author blog: http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.com/

Astraea Press: http://www.astraeapress.com/

Buy at: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=7105194

Book Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D7sLoMWp0o

Tuesday Tales

I am delighted to be part of the Tuesday Tales group of writers. 
This week the prompt word is ‘fire’. 

So, for my first effort in Tuesday Tales, here is a complete short story.

Pictures in the Fire

Snow, silent as stealth, filled the driveway beyond her front door. Inside silence filled the room while she sat staring at the fire.

“Can you see the pictures in the flames?” Her mother’s voice came across as clearly as if she stood next to Monica.

She’d been five the first time her mother asked the question. Five and eager to experience a new adventure. For hours she’d sat in front of the fire, its orange flames curling round the logs her father cut and hauled in each morning. At first she’d pretended to herself and her mother she’d seen all sorts of things. The pony she wished for peering over the stable door that didn’t exist, the baby brother who arrived two years later, and the puppy her best friend Lillian received two days later. She even imagined she saw the letters written in the flames of the name Lillian chose for her new friend.

“You’ll never guess what I just got?” Lillian had bounced into the school playground her face glowing with excitement.

“A puppy?” Until she heard the words, saw her breath mist in the cold playground air, she’d not realised she’d spoken aloud.

Deflated, Lillian glowered at her. “How’d you know that?” Then she’d beamed her usual sunny smile. “I s’pose my Mom told you, and made you promise not to tell.”

Not quite sure why, Monica remained silent, but thought perhaps that’s how she knew.

When Lillian asked her to guess the puppy’s name, Monica sealed her lips and hoped that her best friend would not say ‘Jasper’.

“Jasper.” Lillian squealed while jumping up and down on the spot and clapping her hands together.

A frisson of trepidation skittered up Monica’s spine. How had she known? Had her friend mentioned a liking for the name? If so, she couldn’t remember. The frisson of fear grew, when later that evening she told her mother and was met by a concerned silence.

Her mother’s smile usually so open and encouraging, faltered and slipped away altogether. Her smoky blue eyes usually filled with love and laughter turned chilly. Her voice, when she answered was the most frightening of all.

“Don’t tell lies, Monica.” Instead of the usual bed-time hug, her mother stepped back from the bed, ordered Monica to say her prayers twice and to include a request for forgiveness for telling lies, before halting in the doorway, her hand on the knob. “And if this is the result of sitting staring at the fire so much, I suggest you find something more constructive to do with your time.”

The slamming of the bedroom door punctuated her mother’s words.

Miserable, confused, and suddenly tired beyond sleeping, she’d pulled the covers over her head and cried into her pillow throughout the night.

In the morning, Monica decided her mother’s smile could freeze the fires of hell. Her jittery stomach refused to accept the breakfast her mother placed in front of her and she left for school feeling sick, tired and hungry all at once.

When Lillian ran up to her Monica smiled with relief, at least she had her friend. And then she noticed Lillian’s stony-faced glare.

“My Mom said she never told you about the puppy so how did you know, and how did you guess the correct name?”

To Monica it seemed everyone in the playground stopped and waited for her answer. Isolation, heavy and penetrating weighed down on her shoulders. What could she say? She didn’t know, so took the easy way out, and simply shrugged.

In that moment everything changed.

Her life changed.

At school, when she approached conversations stopped. Instead of sharing camaraderie her former school friends ignored her. She learned to stand alone.

At home her young brother continued to give her his unconditional love, but her parents, Monica noticed, walked around her as though she’d caught the plague. She learned to stand alone. Only young Billy penetrated the barrier of self-preservation she erected.

And now? Now, nearly twenty years later she sat in front of her hearth, her hands cradled round her knees, and watched the images of her mother playing with her in the snow in the days before she’d encouraged her daughter to seek pictures in the flames.

For months before she’d died, her mother had accepted the healing her daughter offered to alleviate the pain.

Durng those months they talked. Really talked.

“I’m sorry.” Her mother’s frail voice drew Monica’s attention as she sat at the hospital bedside.

“Sorry?”

Bewildered, she searched for explanations and come up empty. Her parents had dished out edicts as she’d grown up and if she ever returned home after escaping at sixteen, she was usually met with disapproval.

“Your grandmother had the ‘gift’,” her mother started. “It frightened your father, and when you developed it he threatened to walk away from us. I promised him I wouldn’t let you develop your gift if he stayed.”

No wonder her father treated her like a pariah, Monica thought as she struggled to marshal her thoughts.

And the irony?

He’d left anyway. Maybe not for ten years, but he’d left her mother for a ‘newer model.’ And she’d been shattered. Filled with an unexplained guilt about the breakup, Monica had taken off a few months later.

At first she’d buried the experiences that bombarded her. Later when new friends discovered her ‘gift’ they’d come to her for help and advice. Finally after some hefty pleading she’d succumbed and let the feelings and ‘knowing’ in.

The sense of isolation, both inner and outer, eased, and in time disappeared. She felt complete, if not quite comfortable with circumstances. And now her mother informed her it was genetically inherited.

The relationship between them grew closer, and finally Monica recognised that barely remembered loving glow in her mother’s eyes.

“Yes, I remember when you encouraged me to look for the pictures in the fire.” Monica’s words shimmered on the silence around her.

“Never stop.” Her mother’s voice, as loud as her own, filled Monica’s mind. “Never stop watching. Never stop dreaming.” Her mother’s voice faltered, dropped. “Fire, like love can burn or warm. Never let the fire within you go out.”

A log in the grate shifted, sending sparks soaring up the chimney. The silence around her shimmered and settled, and a warmth like a scarf, wrapped around Monica’s heart.

To read more exciting adventures and romances in 

Tuesday Tales,

click HERE

Character Interview Series presents author Roxanne Kade

Character Interview from author Roxanne Kade

ALL AMBERLYN DARKSKY HAS EVER WANTED IS TO BE NORMAL. BUT WHAT IF NORMAL IS EVERYTHING SUPERNATURAL & LEGENDARY?

Hello, everyone. My name is Roxanne Kade and I am the author of THE BLOODY CRESCENT BOOK 1: THERIAN. Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to Amberlyn Darksky. When Amber received her acceptance letter to Cyprus Falls University, little did she know that her life would change forever. Vampires, werewolves and dark family secrets would soon lead her to her true destiny.

ROXY: Hello, Amber. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today.

AMBER: *nods head slowly* Hello.

ROXY: The last few months have been anything but easy for you. How are you holding up?

AMBER: Um...Okay, I guess. I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to feel any more. So much has happened and so much has changed. I just have to take each day as it comes.

ROXY: Well, I'm sure things will get better. *reaches over and pats Amber's hand* Let us start from the beginning, shall we? For so many years Carmine kept you hidden on the family estate. Didn't you ever wonder why? Didn't you ever think that there was more to it than him just wanting to keep you safe?

AMBER: When I was younger, I guess I never knew any better. My father was my world and he made me believe that staying hidden was for my own protection. I never understood why until I was a little older. Carmine always used my "gift" as an excuse for keeping me from enjoying life. He said people would never accept me. That's when Guili and I started with the college applications. I had to show Carmine that I was as normal as anyone else. I never thought that there was something more to the story...

ROXY: This "gift" you speak of. Tell me more about it.

AMBER: Oh, I don't know. I really shouldn't speak about it.

ROXY: Come on! It's me, Roxy, you can tell me anything.

AMBER: *sighs* Okay, fine. I suppose it is the least of my problems at the moment...ever since I can remember, I've been able to see people's memories. And I feel every emotion that comes with those memories. It's a curse really.

ROXY: Are you crazy? That is an amazing gift to have. I can only imagine the things you have seen. What did you see when you touched me?

AMBER: Please, I'm really not in the mood to discuss this any further. Could we just move onto something else?

ROXY: Okay, okay *holds up hands* Tell us about Tayelon.

AMBER: *blushes uncontrollably* Next!

ROXY: Oh no! You're not getting off that easily. Tell us about the first time you ever saw him...you thought he was "smoking hot", right?

AMBER: Yeah, he was. He still is! The first time I saw him I lost all control of myself. I couldn't speak, I couldn't think. I thought my heart was going to literally leap from my chest! I couldn't stop staring into his eyes. Oh, he has the most gorgeous hazel eyes!

ROXY: Hmm, something tells me you don't hate him as much as you want us all to believe.

AMBER: But I do...I mean, after what he did, how could I not!?! He almost killed me! And even though he didn't kill Carmine, he played a major part in it. If only he had been honest with me from the beginning, maybe things would have ended differently.

ROXY: Can you really blame him though? Would it have made any difference if he had told you the truth from the start?

AMBER: Of course it would have. I accepted him for what he was and if he had told me about Carmine and the history with his family, perhaps I could have changed things. I needed answers. I needed Carmine to tell me the truth, but before I got that chance, Tayelon and the rest of the pack rushed in and killed him!

ROXY: Okay, but surely you can understand why they did that. Your father was an evil fiend after all.

AMBER: Yes, that's true. But he was still my father. How do I not hate Tayelon for taking him from me?

ROXY: Amber, I still get the sense that you love Tayelon. Do you?

AMBER: I...I...*squirms in her chair* I hate him, I do. But I can't stop thinking about him, and wanting him. My heart aches every time I think of him. *sighs* Loving and hating someone at the same time is too exhausting. It's driving me crazy.

ROXY: That brings me to the next question. Maghon Thomas of Abbeville, LA, wants to know if you'll ever be able to forgive Tayelon for the choices he made?

AMBER: I don't know...in a way I have. But I'll never forget what he did. He lied to me, hurt me in the worst possible way. I don't know if there's any way we could ever go back to what we were before. I'm just so confused at the moment. I don't know what to believe...all I wanted was to be normal...*holds head in hands and silently begins to sob*

ROXY: I think that is our cue to wrap things up. Join me again on December 15th when I will be chatting to *cups mouth with hand and whispers* Tayelon Cree, who will tell us his side of the story.

THE BLOODY CRESCENT BOOK 1: THERIAN

BLURB:
All Amberlyn Darksky has ever wanted is to be normal. But what if normal is everything supernatural and legendary?
Amber has never been ordinary. She has a gift, the ability to see memories through simple touch, and for her it’s a curse. Especially when she has to relive her mother’s death the night she was born, through her father’s eyes. Leading a sheltered life for years under his constant watch has her yearning for freedom and her acceptance into Cyprus Falls University gives her just that.
She is immediately plunged into a world of true love, heartache, seduction, and horror. With a deepening affection for Tayelon Cree, whose sparkling hazel eyes leave her breathless, and the undeniable allure of Lucard Colbaine, who seems to be immune to her gift, can she accept what either of them represent in her life? And what about the steely-eyed vampire who invades her dreams? When the blackouts and nightmares begin, Amber fears the pain that rips into her soul and threatens to destroy her. Before long she is faced with the truth of her destiny as well as the devastating secrets that surround the people she holds dearest; dark secrets that will truly change the course of her very existence. Amber doesn’t know if she has the strength to accept the hand fate has dealt her. She will have to fight as hard as possible to remain human while the beasts inside her rage to take over.

For more info on THE BLOODY CRESCENT BOOK 1: THERIAN go to http://www.48fourteen.com/catalog/therian or visit my BLOG at http://roxykade.blogspot.com

Join me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bloody-Crescent-Book-1-Therian/268069359875004
or follow me on Twitter - https://twitter.com/RoxyKade

You can buy your copy of THERIAN from the 48fourteen website, or from Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WJC9HQ/
and B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/therian-roxanne-kade/1106608381

Also, don't forget to enter the 48fourteen WIN A KINDLE FIRE COMPETITION - https://www.48fourteen.com/win-kindle-fire

Six Sentence Sunday

Today's 'Six' follows on from yesterday's Sample 

 As alway I appreciate your comments and thank you all for you company and support every week.

To celebrate the release of my new book From Now Until Forever by Astrea Press, I will share samples with you throughout December.

GIVEAWAY

At the end of December I am giving away a PDF version of From Now Until Forever and will use random.org to choose one lucky winner from all the SSS comments received during December.

A mistake. Not her first. Probably not her last, but still, a mistake.

Melanie aimed her weapon, fired, and took satisfaction from the distant bellow of pain. She shifted the gun from one hand to the other, flung the door open, and yelled for Liam to take cover.

*A grim smile twitched her lips.

(*This snippet has been edited)

Click Six Sunday Sentence for more offerings 

Today Elaine tells us how Matt Gets Jilted

Matt Gets Jilted

Welcome to Sherry’s blog! My name is Elaine Cantrell, and I’ve been blogging for Sherry for the last two days. If you’re interested in me and my writing, check out my website at http://www.elainecantrell.com. I have some nice free reads there.

If you’ve been following for the last few days, you know I’ve been talking about people who get jilted-just like my heroine Marley Matthews in The Table in the Window. The book is coming out in the next few days and can be purchased at http://www.astraeapress.com. Continuing with my jilted theme, I’d like to talk a bit about my other Astraea Press release A New Dream.

Here’s a blurb about the book.
What do you do when you lose everything?

After an auto accident destroys his NFL career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.

Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef’s Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new manager’s broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.

Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt’s past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?

Of course, before Matt meets Violet he had a fiancée, Stacey Thomas. In this excerpt from A New Dream Stacey agonizes over the accident that took Matt’s football career away.
~~~

Stacey shuddered and splashed some more water on her face. The nausea had passed now. She staggered back into her bedroom and threw herself across her bed. Matt’s legs looked horrible! She’d give anything not to have been at the hospital when the bandages came off. It had been bad enough when a sheet covered Matt, but to actually see his mutilated legs turned her stomach and made her feel faint.

She knew one thing, though. Until this afternoon she hadn’t really understood that Matt’s football career had ended. Oh, she realized he had lost a leg, but somehow it hadn’t been real to her until she saw it for herself. Rolling over, she curled into a tight, little ball. She had had such fun going places with Matt. People always recognized him
and wanted his autograph. He had plenty of money too, and he wasn’t stingy with it. The fame and money had thrilled her, but it was all over and done with now. No more autographs or big money.

Her stomach lurched again. She had more than just fame and money to worry about. Matt had wanted to kiss her this afternoon. In fact, when the doctor came in to take off Matt’s bandages he had caught her sitting on the edge of the bed kissing Matt. The doctor had kidded him about it, but she hadn’t minded being interrupted at all. She…didn’t like to touch him too much now.

Her thoughts drifted to the afternoon of their accident. Their parents wouldn’t approve, but she and Matt had gone to Greenville and checked into a luxury hotel that morning. They had spent his last day of freedom in bed together. She drew a deep, shaky breath.

The day had been everything she’d dreamed it could be. Her body tightened with the faint echo of passion. Matt was a good lover.

Oh, why did they have to have such a terrible accident? What would happen to Matt now? Her engagement ring winked and twinkled as it caught the light. She stared at it for a moment and began to cry.

~~~
Pretty bad, huh? Yeah, she jilted him the next day. She didn’t have the nerve to do it face-to-face. She returned her engagement ring by messenger. What a witch! Oh, well. If she hadn’t jilted Matt, he never would have met Violet. In my story Violet works in a bakery before she opens her own catering business. If you’ll leave me your email address in a comment I’ll email you a PDF copy of her favorite dessert recipes.

Can I brag for a minute? Romance Junkies gave the book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and said, A NEW DREAM is a wonderful contemporary romance with heartwarming characters and heartfelt moments. Elaine Cantrell creates a beautiful, believable relationship with old fashioned values that adds sweetness to the story. All of her characters were likable with emotions and reactions that one can relate to. My favorite though had to be the hero Matt, who had to face a very difficult reality. His growth and the way Ms. Cantrell portrayed his struggles with coming to terms with the changes in his life was nicely done. This is one of the best inspirational romances I’ve read in a while.


Romantic Times gave it four and a half stars and said, Readers will love this touching and inspirational story in which a former football player learns to live his life under new terms after a tragic accident.

I’m also tickled pink to tell you that A New Dream is on the publisher’s bestseller list!


The book is available at http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=677872&mode=product&product=2676585 or at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a+new+dream+by+elaine+cantrell&sprefix=a+new+dream+

In a few days I’ll pick the winner of the contest I offered yesterday. I hope each and every one of you have the merriest holiday season ever, and don’t forget to give books to the readers on your list. Sherry, thanks so much for letting me come. I’ve enjoyed being with you and your readers.

Congratulations, Elaine, and best wishes with your new Christmas book, thank you, too, for visiting with us here these last few days.

Sweet Saturday Sample

Welcome to another Sweet Saturday Sample. And thank you to everyone who stops by every week. I hope you enjoy the sample my my latest release today. 
There will be more tomorrow.

To celebrate the release of my new book From Now Until Forever by Astrea Press, I will share samples with you throughout December.

GIVEAWAY

At the end of December I am giving away a PDF version of From Now Until Forever
and will use random.org to choose one lucky winner from all the SSS comments received.

So! It began.
In his usual no-­‐‑nonsense manner, Paxman, her boss, had updated her on events in the phone call she’d received just over ten minutes ago. It hadn’t given her time to warn Liam to get back inside, let alone for her to make any moves towards vacating the farm. As the head of palace security, Paxman focused on the job at hand and kept his missives brief. As her surrogate father—well, she owed him everything.

“Our man inside the British Embassy says Drake Guillespie, and his son deBonet, the rebel leader, are heading north and expected to pick up company on the way. Contact the Caretaker.”

In other words leave the farmhouse immediately. Brevity notwithstanding, from his information she’d assumed they’d have time to evacuate the place safely, instead of being embroiled in the middle of a gun battle.

Character Interview #7 by Heather-Hiestand

Character Interview #7 Dec 3rd

December 24, 1892
Eliza Dunney: Welcome to London Housemaid Monthly, Miss Fenna, and thank you for being our subject for this month’s feature. How long have you been in service?
Linet Fenna: Three years now.

Eliza Dunney: Did you start out as a housemaid?
Linet Fenna: No, I was a maid-of-all-work for a small household, starting when I was seventeen. Last year I came to the Guterman’s house as second housemaid.

Eliza Dunney: Is it your dream to be a housekeeper one day?
Linet Fenna: Well, if I don’t marry. Not many other choices these days.

Eliza Dunney: Did you once have different dreams?
Linet Fenna: She smiles. My early life was anything but traditional. Of course, I can’t speak about it, since my family was a bit, well, unusual.

Eliza Dunney: What happened to change the course of your life?
Linet Fenna: Prime Minister Gladstone decided only the British Air Force, the Blockaders, belonged in the skies. Anyone who was known to have an airship was arrested. She shudders.

Eliza Dunney: Wasn’t anyone who owned an airship an air pirate?
Linet Fenna: A free trader, more like. Don’t you think taxes on luxury goods are too high?

Eliza Dunney: You do have a point. Did you have help escaping during the arrests?
Linet Fenna: No, I’m completely on my own now.

Eliza Dunney: The sound of chugging can be heard in the air. That sounds like an airship, Miss Fenna.
Linet Fenna: Yes, I suppose you are correct. Looks wistful. I remember when that was a happy sound.

Eliza Dunney: Do you think the free traders will ever rise again?
Linet Fenna: The prime minister is an old man. Hopefully the next government will be less restrictive. But Gladstone wiped out a generation of airship captains. When the new captains emerge, they will be young and hungry.

Eliza Dunney: And handsome, I hope?
Linet Fenna: She grins. Airship captains? Trust me, they are always handsome, and very sure of themselves!

Eliza Dunney: Thank you for sitting with us today. I’m sure you must get back to your duties.
Linet Fenna: Oh yes. The first housemaid is ill and the Gutermans have many guests arriving later today for the holidays. I have much to accomplish!

Eliza Dunney: Good luck to you, Miss Fenna!

Author bio:
Heather Hiestand is the author of seven novels as well as many novellas and short stories. Her imagination keeps her entertained with romance, mystery and futuristic/fantasy story ideas, many of which eventually become words on a page. She lives in Washington State with her husband and son. For more information, see her website at www.heatherhiestand.com.


Captain Andrew’s Flying Christmas Blurb:

Housemaid Linet Fenna would rather be an air pirate than a servant. When she finds the ladder to an airship dangling outside her garret window on Christmas Eve, 1892, she ascends to the skies above London on her late father’s flagship dirigible, the Christmas. The new captain is someone she never expected to see again, a dangerous, sexy foe. Is the Fenna family nemesis offering Linet her heart’s desire or a dastardly trap? Captain Andrew’s motivations are as foggy as the coal-soaked sky. Prime Minister Gladstone’s Blockaders, a horde of automen and a teenage girl named Hatchet want Linet to fail in her quest to discover what happened to her missing family, but she is determined to have a happy Christmas.

Captain Andrew’s Flying Christmas links:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Christmas-Steampunk-Smugglers-ebook/dp/B005WASTQK
Smashwords:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/96889
BN
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Captain-Andrews-Flying-Christmas/Heather-Hiestand/e/2940013314191
ARe:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-captainandrew039sflyingchristmas-624819-339.html

Elaine Cantrell introduces us to Marley's New Guy

Marley’s New Guy

Welcome back to the blog! I’m romance writer Elaine Cantrell, and Sherry was kind enough to invite me to her blog. If you’re curious about me and my writing, check out my website at http://www.elainecantrell.com. You might also like my blog which is found at http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com

Yesterday I promised I’d tell you what my heroine in A Table in the Window did when her fiancé jilted her. Uh, I mean what happened after she cried a river and went shopping to make herself feel better.


In this excerpt, Marley is Christmas shopping and stops to eat at the restaurant where her fiancé jilted her.

Excerpt:

Barton’s hostess picked up a menu. “Table for one?”
“Yes.” Marley’s eyes prickled, but she swallowed hard and followed the hostess to a small table near the kitchen. Guess they saved the nice window tables for hunks like Michael.
She sat her purse and packages in the empty chair beside her and tried not to stare at the table where it had all occurred. Her heart burned. Maybe she shouldn’t have come here after all.
“Hi, may I take your drink order?”
Marley looked up and saw Robert, the waiter who’d served her and Michael on that awful day when Michael broke up with her. She blushed and hoped he didn’t know why. “Maybe some hot tea,” she decided, “and I know what I want to order. I’d like a chicken salad plate.”
He smiled at her. “Coming right up.”
As he vanished into the kitchen, Marley heard someone yell, “Hey, Rob, what are you doing here? Your shift’s over.”
So Robert’s friends called him Rob. Marley liked that name better. Robert sounded like someone her father’s age, but Rob sounded young and upbeat. Wonder why he wanted to hang around Barton’s after his shift ended? Didn’t he have some place he needed to be at Christmastime?
He returned to her table and set her tea in front of her. “Have you ever tried tea the way the English drink it?” he asked. “I brought you some cream in case you’d like to try it.”
“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful,” Marley answered. “Maybe I will try it.”
She thought he’d go away, but he remained standing beside the table. “Uh, is there anything else?” she asked.
He smiled at her. “My shift’s over. If I’m not bothering you, I wondered if you’d like some company for lunch.” His eyes twinkled. “In case you’d like to know, you’re the first customer I’ve made that offer to.”
How strange. She’d seen this guy in Barton’s for over a year now, yet she couldn’t have described him to save her life. She paused for a quick inspection. He wore black trousers and a long-sleeved white shirt with a red and black striped tie. A green bib apron covered his shirt and tied around his neck and waist. He’d spiked his short, blonde hair ever so slightly in front. He had blue eyes and a square jaw and definitely wasn’t as buff as Michael who spent a lot of time in a gym. Michael was taller too.
The sparkle in his blue eyes decided her. “Sure. Have a seat.” She swept her packages and purse into the floor, and he sat down beside her.

Oh, she’s done it now! Can Rob be the one to mend her broken heart, or will she find that rebound relationships never work?

If you like the sound of A Table in the Window, please check it out at http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=1651593&mode=product&product=7885677 or at Amazon. By the time you read this it has released. Find it at: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=7885677

Marley works at a bakery in New York City. I nagged her until she agreed to share her recipe for chocolate cake. If you have a better recipe, let me know. This is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. In fact, if you post a recipe for us I’ll throw your name in a hat for a book giveaway.

Marley’s Chocolate Cak
2 cups flour
4 TBSP cocoa
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 stick butter
1 tsp soda
½ cup cooking oil
2 eggs
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla

Sift flour and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Place butter, oil, water, and cocoa into a saucepan and bring to a rapid boil. When mixture boils, remove from heat and pour over sugar and flour mixture. Mix well with spoon and add buttermilk, soda, eggs and vanilla. Beat lightly and pour into greased and floured 13 X 9 X 1 ½ inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

Wet Chocolate Frosting
1 stick butter
4TBSP cocoa
6 TBSP evaporated milk
1 box powdered sugar

Place butter, cocoa, and milk in saucepan. When mixture comes to a boil remove from heat and add 1 box powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Pour over cake while hot.

Character Interview #6 - Margan Kearns

Author Morgan Kearns and Baseball Bad Boy Grayson Pierce



I am Morgan Kearns; former journalist, current author, and mother of four children to keep things interesting. I write contemporary and paranormal romance.

My second novel, IN IT TO WIN IT, is the story of Sportscaster Jane Alexander and Baseball Bad-Boy Grayson Pierce.


Tabloids love Grayson, and I’ve gotta admit I’m pretty fond of him myself.



MK: *shakes his huge hand* Hey, Grayson, it’s really good to see you.
Grayson: It’s great to see you, too, Morgan. How are things? You torturing Xavier yet?

MK: Torturing? Is that what you think I do?
Grayson: *laughs* Hell, yeah. You’re pretty sadistic.

MK: *rolls eyes* It’s a good thing you’re story’s already done.
Grayson: Seriously, you’re writing his story, right?

MK: I am. He’s an interesting guy.
Grayson: *nods* He needs a good woman who’ll love that chip off his shoulder. Do you know who she is yet.

MK: Of course. You know her, too.
Grayson: Really?

MK: *holds up hand* Before you ask; no, I won’t tell you who she is.
Grayson: Damn.

MK: Let’s talk about Jane.
Grayson: My favorite subject.

MK: How are things going between you two?
Grayson: *shakes his head and grins like a fool* She’s good. She’s great. We’re great. Did you know we’re getting married?

MK: I did hear that somewhere.
Grayson: *laughs* Yeah, I’m sure you did.

MK: How’s the long distance thing working?
Grayson: *frowns* It sucks. Last year was brutal. But I don’t have to report for spring training until February so we’re spending every possible second together ‘til then. After that … I don’t want to think about it.

MK: Tell me about the first time you saw Jane after fifteen years.
Grayson: Seeing her was like a two-by-four to the chest. She looked amazing, better than I’d imagined. I didn’t expect her to be standing in the locker room.

MK: She is a sportscaster.
Grayson: Yeah. I know, and I expected she’d be shoving a microphone in my face at some point, but I didn’t expect her to show up when she did. I really threw me for a loop.

MK: You were kind of a jerk to her.
Grayson: *laughs* Kind of? I was a complete and total ass! The stricken look on her face nearly killed me. I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and never let her go. I’m surprised she didn’t slap me silly.

MK: What does the future hold?
Grayson: I don’t know beyond the wedding. I travel a lot. Her job keeps her in Salt Lake. We’re taking things one day at a time. She loves me, that’s all that matters to me. And she’s amazing.

MK: What about kids?
Grayson: *big cheesy grin* Yes.

MK: Is that an announcement?
Grayson: *raises brow* You tell me.

MK: *laughs* Touche. Okay, this question is for Liza; Do you have any available friends she could date?
Grayson: *shrugs* A lot of the guys are still single. Would I set them up with someone as sweet as Liza? Probably not. But, if you’re to be believed, and Xavier can be tamed, then anything’s possible. Give me her number, I’ll see what I can do.

Jane sticks her head in.

Jane: Oh, hey, Morgan. I’m sorry to bug you guys, but I need to steal him away. We’re going to be late for the appointment to pick out Save-The-Date cards.
Grayson: Thanks, babe. We’re almost done.

Jane leaves.

MK: Last question. What’s Santa bringing Jane?
Grayson: *grins* I know it’s cheesy, but I got her diamond earrings.

MK: Not cheesy at all. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.

Jane and Grayson’s story is IN IT TO WIN IT and can be found on:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VS3H84/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_g351_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1CW6VS8GQA0RDH1SBS4H&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-it-to-win-it-morgan-kearns/1030917200?ean=2940012678997&itm=1&usri=win%2bit%2bkearns


Other ebook: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/75280

Autographed Paperback: http://morgankearns.com/contemporary_romance_.html