Lunch with Friends

Today I'm meeting up with a few friends for lunch. I have seen them in a bit and missed them terribly. I can't wait to sit and chat with Marie Rose Dufour and Eden Elgabri!

Happy Friday!

I know I’ve been quiet again. Know that I’m thinking of you all. I’m busy taking care of bipolar teen, wedding plans for my eldest daughter and finishing up the second full time job. Oh and in between I’m writing when I can.

I had lunch last week with two writer friends - Marie Rose Dufour and Eden Elgabri - it was much needed. I can't wait to do it again.

I miss blogging and hearing from my readers and friends. Hoping to be back in the game real soon.

Friends...I have a few

Our family has been going through some trying times with an unruly teen. I’ve been down this road before, but this is a bit different. If you knew her, you wouldn’t expect it. She’s a straight A student. Her plans for the future are to be a neo-natal doctor and care for women with high risk pregnancies. She always obeyed the rules and knew the importance of certain things.

The child we're suddenly dealing with is irrational. She doesn’t care about consequences and flat out disregards rules. She can’t seem to grasp right and wrong. She throws tantrums like a two year old and has violent mood swings. She's run away, I've called the cops. Cutting school every day. I’m losing my mind on so many levels it’s not funny.

I’ve come realize how wonderful it is to have friends in this business. I have to give a big shout out to some to have made me smile this week and show me some light at the end of the long dark tunnel.

Molly Daniels – we exchanged emails regarding my Freedom Fantasies series. In one of the emails she said: you know you’re one of my favorite writers, right.  *blushes* It’s nice to be told this. As a writer we don’t always know what people think of our writing. Big hugs for making me feel appreciated as a writer.

Another was with a friend, who just made me laugh. Her daughter has an eccentric art teacher. She was telling me how the teacher names all her paint brushes, holds funerals for them when they break and if you hold them under water too long she’ll say: gulp, gulp, gulp…I’m drowning.

This conversation gave me a chuckle in a time I really needed one.

My critique partner, co-author writing partner and all around good friend Katalina Leon sent me a banner for my new release coming July 9^th from Loose Id. I wasn’t expecting it, so it was a wonderful surprise.

Julia Barrett, for her kind words.

And Marie Rose Dufour who would be by my side if I ask.

Writers understand how lonely this business can be and how we need a shoulder at times. So thanks to those who’ve brightened my dark days.

New Release - Marie Rose Dufour

My good friend had a release yesterday and I'm loving the premise of this new series. I'm looking forward to some down time next week to read her new book.

Check it out!!!!

Buy Here



For hundreds of years, evil is trapped beneath the ground. It never sleeps. It only waits to return.

A man turns his back against his magical family a long ago and the prophecy predicting a powerful witch with green eyes will release the imprisoned evil into the world. Nathaniel Caswell is determined to avoid the prophecy and the sexy new woman in town who could be his salvation or his downfall.

Meg Costa didn’t realize when she left her urban guidance counselor job for one on the sleepy coast of Massachusetts that she would catch the attention of the sexy green eyed sheriff and be thrown in the middle of a battle between good and evil.

Destiny throws these two together and along with the rest of the magical community, they need to figure out a way to save themselves and the world from being plunged into darkness forever.

June Parties

I’m in the process of planning two birthday parties - my mom and my husband.

Family is traveling in from NY to celebrate both this weekend. I enjoy having both families get together. We always have a great time; it’s the stress of prepping the house and food that gets to me days before. Normally the DH has a laundry list of things he wants for his birthday. This year – NADA. I’m stumped.

For our anniversary I gave him a Patriots grill. Father’s Day the girls gave him football utensils for the grill. The only thing left is the cover. I did order him one yesterday. I didn’t want to because he has a gift card for the Patriots Pro Shop and might decide to use it for one.

He likes gift cards, but damn, that’s boring. We’re going shopping at the outlets Friday hopefully I can get him some clothes or something. Only problem – that’s his birthday. I’d like to have something for him when he wakes up. And I’m sure the grill cover won’t arrive in time.

Oh the troubles I have. Hahahahahaha…sorry life is really good. Just busy. I’m not complaining, just getting my thoughts out.

Enough of my venting.

I’m looking forward to my vacation. Because I worked all weekend I got a comp day, which I’m using tomorrow. So from tomorrow until July 9^th I’m on vaca from the day job. Woo Hoo.

Can’t wait to have lunch with fellow friends Marie Rose Dufour and Nina Pierce! Love our time together.

Happy Wednesday! 

Hot New Release from Marie Rose Dufour!

My friend Marie Rose had her third release on Friday the 13th and though most call it unlucky day it was lucky for her. This cowboy book is heating up the e-readers. I'm currently reading the book and must say I have a new fascination with cowboys. :)
Check out the blurb and hot cover below!

http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=4&products_id=300&zenid=5cf7cdd5c2901422907b84f2757b0e4f

Tasha Lane never realized how boring her life had become until one phone call in the middle of the night totally changed it. Can this forty-two year old accountant put aside a nine-year age gap and perpetual “foot in mouth” disorder to find love and happiness with an ex-rodeo star turned rancher?


Three years ago, Devin Grant traded the rodeo circuit for a cattle ranch. If someone told him, he would fall in love with a woman he’d never physically met, he’d think they were kicked too many times in the head by a bull. When her brother is thrown from his horse, it was finally time to meet the sexy woman of his dreams and convince her, he was worth taking a chance on.

Can he convince her before she goes back to her boring life? Will she be able to overcome their age difference and her own insecurities?

Monday Again and Winner Announcement!

What a weekend. I had the opportunity to have lunch with two terrific writers. Marie Rose Dufour and Eden Elgabri. It’s always nice to see other writers and friends. Because first and foremost we’re friends.


Yesterday was nice getting together with family. Today I’m exhausted. :o) I’m going to keep this short.

Here are the winners from the 3 Day Blog Hop, picked from Random.org.

Day 1 – caity_mack at yahoo dot com won an e-copy of Splashing Good Time

Day 2 – seriousreader at live dot com won an e-copy of Body Shots

Day 3 – trb0917 at gmail.com won an e-copy of Hit Me

I’ll be emailing you your books shortly. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and participated.



Happy Monday!

Happy Valentine's Day

I want to wish all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day. I had planned to showcase my friends book yesterday and well, my daughter called frantic. Her daughter fell face first on the floor and possibly broke her nose.
The DH and I had to run out and give her my car so she could go to the hospital. By the time we got there our granddaughter was feeling sore, but in good spirits. Her poor little face was really banged up.
After a trip to the ER and no X-Rays, because T wouldn't allow them to take them..he concluded no broken nose. He was more worried about her cheek and eye. She's really banged up.
Broke our heart to see our little three year old so bruised. They came back and spent the day here just in case. With Tylenol and TLC she seems to be on the mend. Needless to say I managed nothing yesterday but playing with the grandbabies. Aside from the accident it was a perfect day.

So today I want to give you a taste of Marie Rose Dufour's book. I read her first book Fated Mates and it was great. Can't wait to get time to read Irish Rising. Oh and isn't the guy on the cover just yummy? :o)

Buy Link

Book Blurb:

Famous romance writer, Kim Green went to Ireland with her two cousins to research the setting of her new book and have some quality girl bonding fun. She’s in the business of writing about love. She didn’t expect it find her on the street in a sleep Irish town with a sexy, “I want to drown in your chocolate eyes” pub owner.
Duncan Murphy never believed in the old family legend. The idea a trapped mermaid granted his family the ability to recognize their one true love was absurd to him until he spots a sexy American across the street from his pub. Something deep within him recognized her as his other half.
They’re drawn together in an explosive first encounter. Life is blissful until a misunderstanding threatens to tear them apart. Is their fragile newfound romance something legends are made of or the misguided belief in an ancient fantasy?



Excerpt:

Kim walked and walked taking in all the local scenery. The sculpted hedgerows infused with red and white flowers. The shopkeepers sweeping the sidewalks in front of their stores, they were always quick with a greeting and even quicker with a smile. As she walked, she talked into her mini-recorder trying to capture as many details as possible. When she got back to her room later, she would transcribe her notes to be used later in her manuscript. Every once in a while she would stop to take some pictures since Kim found it helpful to surround herself with images that help her describe things in her stories.

Her walking slowed to a complete stop when she noticed a house for sale. As she peered through the gate in the hedges, she saw a wonderful stone house that was so typical in Ireland. Some people would say that the house needed a lot of work, but Kim only saw the possibilities. A cobblestone walkway led from the iron gate over an expansive front lawn, ending at an enormous wooden front door. Attached to each window were empty flowerboxes she could imagine them overflowing with a riot of colors. Kim checked the gate to try and get a closer look but it was locked. Too bad, she wanted to explore more of the grounds for her research. Maybe she’ll call the realtor and set up a viewing while she was still in the country.

“You’re not lost now, are you, luv?” A gravely voice startled her out of her revelry.

She turned around to see whom the voice belonged to when across the road she saw the hottest man she had seen in her entire life. He was lazily leaning in the doorway of the pub across the street. He had a white apron tied around his waist that tapered down from wide shoulders. In his hands he was drying a glass while he stared at her from a distance. His brown hair curled over the collar of his black shirt that was pulled taunt over the muscles of his chest. Peaking out from underneath one of the sleeves was a Celtic band tattoo. Kim whistled to herself. She was a sucker for a man with band tattoos. She wondered if he had any more hidden by his clothes.

Kim flashed him her sexiest smile. “No, not lost. Just dreaming.”

He slowly unfurled himself from the doorway and walked across the street toward her. He had the walk of a man totally comfortable in his own skin. A loose-legged swagger that made Kim’s insides do a nervous tap dance. Up close, he was much taller than he appeared from across the street. Kim needed to tilt her head back to look into his dreamy chocolate brown eyes. She was short, her license said that she was five-three, but she was probably closer to five-two in her stocking feet. He towered over her by at least a foot.

“Dreaming, huh?” He lifted her chin to stare deeply into her eyes. “Yes, I can see it. You have the eyes of a dreamer. You wouldn’t happen to be a dream fairy who has come along to invade all of my dreams, would you?”

Between his intense gaze and the hand gently touching her chin, he mesmerized her. “No, just a dreamer. I’m not here to invade anyone’s dreams.”

Something flared hotly in his eyes before he moved away from her. “Well now, that remains to be seen.”

The distance between them broke the spell and brought Kim back to her senses. She thrust out her hand to introduce herself. “Hi, I’m Kim.”

He took her hand within his large one, but didn’t shake it. He simply held her hand within his own, renewing the connection that flared between them when they touched before. His gaze heated as he scanned her face and returned to her eyes. The heat and intensity caused Kim to gasp out loud. No man ever looked at her like this before. Not thinking it possible, his gaze burned brighter after hearing her gasp.

Interview with Marie Rose Dufour

Today I have the pleasure of introducing my friend Marie Rose Dufour. I enjoyed her book Fated Mates and look forward to her next release Irish Rising. I'm sure it will be another hot read. After reading her interview I recommend you grabbing a copy of her book! :o)

How did you start your writing career?

Writing has always been a big part of my life. I remember writing a story about this run-down Victorian home in my town. In the story, a girl could walk through a magic mirror and find herself in an alternate universe. I graduated to writing on the school paper in high school and then “real life” took over for a while and I didn’t write at all. It wasn’t until about a year and a half ago, did I start writing again. Despite brief periods of writer’s block, I can’t imagine my life without writing.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.

I have to say Dragon, the hero from my first book, is near and dear to my heart. He came to me fully formed. It was easy to write about him. He’s been through so much in life and never dared to hope that he would find a mate. When he does, it is so special. There was a lot of back story about him being a POW that never made it into the final copy of the book. He is so wounded and flawed but it makes him so strong!

Tell us about your current release.

Fated Mates is out now. It’s the first book in a series. I would classify it as erotic, sci-fi romance. The premise starts with the notion that ancient aliens visited Earth and found that humans made perfect mates for them. When mated to a Serralian, it is for life and according to them, even beyond. In the story we find out what happens between Liz, a divorce school teacher with an abusive ex-husband decides to take a chance at love, and Dragon, a scarred Serralian warrior who doesn’t believe he is worthy of finding love himself.

Tell us about your next release.

My next book is a contemporary love story set in Ireland between a romance writer and a super-sexy pub owner. It’s going to be release in March in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Do you use a pen name? If so how did you come up with it?

I do use a pen name to protect the innocent, mainly my mother and my “dreaded day job”. My mother still tells me from time to time that she hopes I’m not writing anything that would embarrass the family. The name I came up with is actually part of my real name partnered with a family name.

Who are your books published with?

My book is currently published with Secret Cravings Publishing. You can also purchase it at Amazon, Bookstrand, and Are.

What are your favorite TV shows?

Right now I’m totally addicted to Once Upon a Time. I would love to write a script and send it in to them, except I’m sure it would end up in the trash! I also like Fringe, Modern Family, and Dancing with the Stars.

Plotter or Pantser? Why?

I’m a little bit of both. I can’t start writing if I don’t have a vision of where the story is going. On the other hand, if I try to outline the story, I find that it stifles me and I lose interest. So if I had to pick one, it would be a pantser!

Morning person? Or night person?

I am SO a morning person. I do so much before work and before the sun is up. Normally, I write my blog or respond to blogs and do some writing on my WIPs.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

I have a dream of traveling to New Orleans. I had a chance to go a few years ago and couldn’t make it. I always regretted not making that trip for some reason. Something about it calls to me.

I would love to thank Amber from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be interviewed on her blog. As a newbie, I constantly pepper her with questions. She never minds and is always patient with me. For this, you will always have my gratitude!

Peace out,

MRD

 
Fated Mates Book Blurb


We know that we are no longer alone in the universe. Descendants of Earthly ancestors have returned to find the other halves of themselves, their destined mates.

 Dragon, a scarred Serralian warrior drawn to the planet of his ancestors, never believed the Goddess had a mate for him but no matter what he believes, he’s unable to resist the pull of the planet deep within in soul.

Liz, a curvy teacher who escaped an abusive marriage three years earlier is afraid to take another chance on love. Tired of being a
bystander in her own love life, she participates in an ancient ritual to identify Serralian mates. Taking that chance changes her life forever. Can these two people overcome their pasts to become each other’s true Fated Mates?

Fated Mates Excerpt



Liz woke up with the sounds of waves crashing in her ears. Confident of the lack of beachfront property within her condo, she wondered what destiny had in mind for her now. She sat up looking around at her surroundings. Lying under a beautiful canopy tent draped with yards and yards of gauzy royal blue material swaying gently in the breeze, and keeping the rays of the sun from beating down on her body. Liz ran her hands over the bedding beneath her. It felt softer and smoother than the highest count Egyptian cotton sheets bought in Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

The beautiful beach reminded her of pictures of exquisite Caribbean beaches with turquoise waves and miles and miles of powdery white sand. The gentle breezes lightly ruffled her hair as she walked down the beach to the edge of the water which rose up to meet her feet, tickling her toes.

“Well, Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas anymore,” she said looking up at a foreign sky with two moons in the distance.

“I must be dreaming. I read so much information about Serralia I’m dreaming about it in Technicolor. Damn! This is one realistic mother of a dream.”

Suddenly, her senses went on high alert. She didn’t know if the air around her had changed or if her body sensed another person behind her, but she knew she was no longer alone and somehow her mate stood behind her.

Two strong bronze hands slowly encircled her waist, pulling her gently back to into a lean, hard body. Liz sighed. This felt right. She snuggled deeper into the embrace. Nothing ever felt this right before. She could stand here in the safety of his arms forever.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I thought you would never get here,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry it took so long. I never let myself believe you existed.”

“I read your file.” The hands moving on her stomach stilled. “I’m sorry for what you had to go through alone. I would have been there for you if I had known.”

“I wouldn’t have been there if I had faith I would find you someday.” Dragon’s chest expanded letting her love and comfort wash over him. “So you know?”

“About everything that happened to you when you were taken prisoner? Yes, I know. I know you lost an eye and still wear an eye patch. I bet it makes you look rakishly handsome.”

She felt the chuckle in his chest before she heard it. The heat of his body warmed her back and aroused her body.

“I have never been told such a thing.”

“Well, I’m sure it does.”

She stroked the muscular forearms at her waist with light caresses. His body trembled behind her.

“We’ve never met in person, but I already feel connected to you. Is it normal?”

“The bonding happens when we are connected as mates. Normal. I don’t know. Right, yes.”

“Do you know about me?” she whispered.

“I know you are perfect.” He leaned down and sweetly kissed the top of her head.

Liz stilled, she might as well tell him about her marriage. She didn’t want any secrets between them.

“I was married before,” she blurted out nervously. “He was not a nice man. He hurt me, not only physically, but verbally too. It took a long time, but I left him.”

Dragon fully stilled behind her. All the wonderful stroking stopped. Her stomach dropped down to her feet. Shit! I’ve ruined this already. She knew her mistake of a marriage would follow her around for the rest of her life. She knew it.

“You don’t know how much pain it causes me to know how much pain you had to endure. I would gladly be tortured again if it meant taking it away from you. You never have to be afraid with me. I would sooner cut off my own arm than hurt a hair on this beautiful head.”

Liz nodded, the lump in her throat making any physical speech impossible.

“I realize it might be a while before you believe this, but it is true.”

“I do believe you. I don’t know why, but I do.”

“Good. Now, we can continue what we started here.”

Callused thumbs again stroked her stomach making it quiver and her pulse quicken. If this was what he could do to her body with only his thumbs, she might actually die from pleasure. She smiled thinking about what her obituary would say. Woman dies from having the most intense sexual experience of her life, then her brain stopped working; her body took over and went into overload.






http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&products_id=131&zenid=67ee0f6daa5f5977eb27d4313a66266b

http://www.amazon.com/Fated-Mates-ebook/dp/B005PNPLZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318796604&sr=1-1

http://www.marierosedufour.blogspot.com/

Debut Author Marie Rose Dufour

Today my good friend Marie Rose Dufour has her first release from Secret Cravings Publishing. I've read a portion of this book and it promises to be a HIT! So run over and grab a copy HERE.









Blurb:
We know that we are no longer alone in the universe. Descendants of Earthly ancestors have returned to find the other halves of themselves, their destined mates.

Dragon, a scarred Serralian warrior drawn to the planet of his ancestors, never believed the Goddess had a mate for him but no matter what he believes, he’s unable to resist the pull of the planet deep within in soul.

Liz, a curvy teacher who escaped an abusive marriage three years earlier is afraid to take another chance on love. Tired of being a
bystander in her own love life, she participates in an ancient ritual to identify Serralian mates. Taking that chance changes her life forever. Can these two people overcome their pasts to become each other’s true Fated Mates?

EXCERPT:
Dragon leaned back in his office chair gazing unseeingly out the vid-window down at Earth from where the cruiser orbited the planet. His brow furrowed in concentration with the problem at hand.
“Uh…hum,” uttered from behind him trying to get his attention.
The gentleman should know from experience, he did things in his own time and only when truly ready.
“Uh…hum…” again sounded from behind him.
“Sergeant, trust me. It’s not within your best interest to rush me in my decision on this matter.”
“Sorry, Sir!”
Properly chastised, Dragon, confident he would not be disturbed again until he thought through every option, let his eye gaze back to the blue planet below. Ever since first orbit, life hadn’t been the same on his ship. Everyone had been edgy, including him. Expecting, hoping, and praying to be mated to someone on the planet below, everyone except him. He had lost faith in the dream a long time ago. Now he had to deal with a situation he never thought would happen under his command.
He adjusted the eye patch he wore over his left eye, a souvenir he received as a POW, before he slowly turned his chair around and pierced the man in front of him with a steely gaze.
“The only reason you are not in the detention center, Sergeant, is because we are friends. Explain to me why you disobeyed ship rules and left this vessel without authorization. Explain to me how a lifelong military man purposely neglects his duties. I need my Sergeant at Arms to explain it to me because as your commanding officer, I am ready to throw you in a cell, start dismissal procedures, and have your ass on the first transport back to Serralia.”
For the first time during his lecture, he saw his friend blanch at the mention of being shipped home.
Sergeant Tarlon simply raised his hand to display the vivid, red scrolling mating mark imprinted across his hand.
Dragon whistled through his teeth and leaned back in his chair resting both hands behind his head. “When? How?”
“Four days ago, the Goddess blessed me.” Tarlon bravely looked his commanding officer and friend straight in the eye. “Excuse my bluntness, Sir, but being unmated yourself, you have no idea what I was going though, being on this ship, knowing my mate waited down on the planet below me. Nothing could have stopped me, not our friendship, and definitely not my duty as an officer.”
Dragon’s face hardened and his un-patched eye turned as cold as the wind whipping across the ice plains on the North Pole of Serralia.
“Do you intend to soften me by insults and bringing attention to my lack of a mate?” Dragon sprang from his chair and stalked in front of him. Tarlon’s eyes immediately went to the floor in a show of respect. He took a deep breath and looked his friend in the eye. His unintentional insult struck deep, to go through life unmated was a fate worse than death to his people.
“I beseech you and the Goddess for my unintentional insult, my friend.” Tarlon placed a hand on Dragon’s shoulder. “I just pointed out you have no personal experience with the yearning call of the first mating.”
“That might be so.” Dragon gritted out, shaking off the hand on his shoulder and going to stand in front of the window again. “What I do know are the rules of this ship. You are to report immediately to the detention center for seven days or until I decide what to do with you!”
“But Sir,” gasped Tarlon protesting. “You cannot separate me from my mate. It would be a torture we both could not tolerate.”
Dragon sighed. He knew his punishment didn’t match the crime. It went against the very beliefs of his culture to separate Fated Mates even for a moment. Everything changed when Tarlon had shown him his mark.
“I am in quite the awkward position, my friend. Your infraction must not go unpunished, but I cannot separate you from your mate. What I can offer you is a compromise. Spend the day portion of your sentence in the detention center catching up on the backlog of paperwork, which seems to have piled up. The night portion of your sentence, you are in the custody of your mate.” Dragon glanced back and caught the brief look of relief crossing Tarlon’s face and something long dead inside hurt until he squelched it.
“You are dismissed. Please report to the detention center to start serving your sentence.”
“My mate and I thank you, Dragon. We shall say an extra prayer to the Goddess in your name.”
Dragon reached up and adjusted his eye patch. “Not necessary. The Goddess has long forgotten my name.”
“Regardless, a prayer will be said,” Tarlon whispered as he turned to leave the room.
“Tarlon…”
“Yes?” He paused at the door and looked back at the lonely man standing in front of the window.
“The yearning call,” Dragon whispered reverently. “Is it as all-consuming as people speak of?” Dragon reached his hand out as if to touch the blue planet in his window, but dropped it so quickly Tarlon probably thought he imagined the action.
“More.” With the powerful word hanging in the air, the door closed behind him.

Another Week

Today my dear friend Marie Rose blogged about how difficult it is to blog. Lately I feel her pain. I have a lot going on in my life, but most of it doesn’t relate to writing. In two months if I’ve written 3k words that’s a lot. But that has to change. More details on that Wednesday.
I write for 5 blogs. Some of them weekly, some monthly and I try to keep mine updated at least 3x a week. Let’s just say you run out of things to talk about.
The DH and I are finally close to getting what was the spare room emptied. It’s made us rethink a few of our other “hiding” places for stuff we swear we’ll use some day. This week we’ll me making a trip to the donation center. When you need space you begin to realize you don’t need to keep everything.
Only two days of work this week and then I’m on vacation for twelve days. Let’s just say I need this vacation. We aren’t going anywhere which is fine. Too much to do around here. I did insist on one beach day. Weather will play a big part in when we go.
Back to topics of blogging. What would you be interested in hearing about?