Thursday, April 16, 2015

Book Fun Friday Welcomes Rebecca Heflin

Welcome to Book Fun Friday


Before we introduce today's guest author, I thought, for the flower lovers among us, I'd share this interesting and unusual development: above you can see six roses, there's actual a seventh it's in the back on the left and there was one more that I clipped off when it first budded. Now look below in the vase, how many stems do you see?

In the reflection it looks like two. But there actually is only ONE stem and a total of eight rose buds grew from this one stem produced by my small rose bush on the porch. Pretty cool, huh?

OH, and before I forget, my debut novel is now a month old! Check it out, it you'd be so kind, it's a contemporary romance series, just click on the hot guy on the right: Dream Man.

And without any further adieu, it's my pleasure to introduce Rebecca Heflin and her contemporary second in the Dreams Come True (how nice!) series called Ship of Dreams.


Rebecca's Bio:

Rebecca Heflin is an award-winning author who has dreamed of
writing romantic fiction since she was fifteen. She writes women's fiction and contemporary romance. When not passionately pursuing her dream, Rebecca is busy with her day-job as a practicing attorney.

Book Title: Ship of Dreams (Book #2 in the Dreams Come True series) (Contemporary Romance)


Log Line: The path to love isn’t always smooth sailing.

Book Tag Line  Advertising diva, Laura Armstrong, meets her match in Nathan Maxwell when he turns out to be her biggest obstacle to bagging a major account and a corner office. Will Nathan sink her ship of dreams before it ever leaves port, or will the way to love be smooth sailing?

Book Blurb:

Advertising Diva, Laura Armstrong is after Imperial Cruise Lines, the biggest account of her career and the one that will lead to the next step in her Life Plan of becoming one of the most powerful women in advertising. That winning the account will also prove her father wrong is a bonus.

Sexy Southern Gentleman, Nathan Maxwell, is after that very same account, but for completely different reasons. Landing the account means a sizeable bonus just in time to save his family’s farm, and the only stable home his sister’s ever known, from foreclosure.

When the two end up on the same ship in the middle of the Mediterranean for a clandestine reconnaissance mission, Mt. Vesuvius isn’t the only thing that could erupt.

Book Excerpt:

Laura Armstrong strode toward the building housing the New York offices of Imperial Cruise Lines. Her stiletto heels clicked a staccato on the sidewalk as she tested the limits of her snug pencil skirt.

Tapping out a message on her smart phone, her mind five steps ahead, she nearly took a header when the heel of her shoe plunged into a sidewalk seam. The text message all but forgotten, she twisted and turned, unable to dislodge the stubborn heel.

Risking a tear in the cherry red patent leather of her sky-high Louboutin ankle-straps — the ones with the plunging vamp revealing her sexy toe cleavage — wasn't an option. But between the ankle strap and her figure-hugging skirt, she couldn't slip out of the shoe, nor could bend over and unfasten it either.

Perfect. She'd be late for her meeting with Imperial's CEO.

Daddy Dearest thought Giddings-Rose couldn't handle an account the size of Imperial. Check that. He thought she couldn't win an account the size of Imperial.

Determined to prove her father wrong, she'd get the account and the corner office. That is if she could pry her heel out of the sidewalk.

Bustling New Yorkers in suits and skirts just stepped around her, dodging her like an out-of-place trashcan. "Well, sh—"

"Hold still, Sugar, or you'll break the heel." The masculine voice called to mind the mellow sweetness of the fine Kentucky Bourbon she'd once sipped at the Derby. Rich and mellifluous, with a hint of Southern graciousness. Even so, there was no denying the authoritative tone. "And that would be a damn shame." The hand that wrapped around her ankle from behind was broad and masculine, but well-manicured, topped with an elegant Cartier watch.

Not her type. She preferred her men with a little more grit than polish. So why did tantalizing warmth spread up her leg?

Question for YOU Dear Reader: (Put your answer in the comments)

I love “first meets!” Creating that first meet is one of my favorite things about writing romance novels. Tell us about your “first meet” with your significant other.

Contact Rebecca Here:
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rheflinbooks

Giveaway:  One lucky commentor wins...so leave a comment!

I’d love to give away an eBook of Ship of Dreams to a commenter.

Buy Link:


 
http://amzn.to/1CFEIbP


Friday, April 10, 2015

Book Fun Friday Welcomes Andrea Downing





Book Fun Friday Welcomes Andrea Downing
Today we have a special treat, a little women's fiction with a touch of romance. Our book feature is  titled Dances of the Heart.

Author Bio: 
Born in New York, Andrea Downing returned in 2008 from the UK where she lived for most of her life. Having traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and Latin America, she now divides her time between NYC and t he east end of Long Is., punctuated by frequent journeys out west---the area of the USA she loves best. Escapes in Jackson, Wyoming, are the highlight of her year.  Her first book, Loveland, was a finalist for the 2012 RONE Award for Best American Historical. Her 2013 short story, Lawless Love, was also a finalist for the RONE Award as well as the International Digital Awards. A novella, Dearest Darling, part of The Wild Rose Press Love Letters series, came out Oct., 2014 and Dances of the Heart, came out Feb., 2015. All are published by The Wild Rose Press..
 

Log Line: When you've let loss rule your life, can you learn to love again?
Tag Line:  One sultry night in Texas, relationships blossom when two couples meet, but when a former friend threatens one of them into joining his business, a long-held secret must be revealed.  There’s just never a right moment for the truth to come out—until an old enemy decides to take his revenge.
Hard-drinking rancher Ray Ryder can find humor in just about anything—except the loss of his oldest son. His younger son, Jake, recently returned from Iraq, now keeps a secret that could shatter his deceased brother’s good name.
On one sultry night in Texas, relationships blossom when the four meet, starting a series of events that move from the dancehalls of Hill Country to the beach parties of East Hampton, and from the penthouses of New York to the backstreets of a Mexican border town. But the hurts of the past are hard to leave behind, especially when old adversaries threaten the fragile ties that bind family to family…and lover to lover.  


Book Exerpt:
 “No,” she said, laughter just below the surface.
 “Well, sweetheart, you have come to the right place. Or at least got yourself the right man. By the time I finish with you, you’ll be the best dang stepper on the floor.”
 Carrie looked around. “There isn’t anyone else on the floor at the moment, Ray.”
 “Well, heck, I know that. That’s perfect for learning.”
 As soon as his hand closed around hers, the leather of his palm a strange glove over her own fingers, a sudden frisson of connection ran through her she hadn’t known in a very long while. He moved her to face him squarely on, a small smile tipping the edges of his mouth, the dark, impenetrable eyes shining with his captured prize.
 “Just follow me,” he said as his right hand went to her back. A cover of a Vince Gill ballad started, the mournful tune setting a moderate tempo. “Perfect.” He held her right hand high and applied slight pressure to move her backwards. “Fast fast slow slow, fast fast slow slow.”
Carrie felt a light bulb go on. She got it. It was good. It was fun. And she relaxed in his embrace. He was an excellent teacher, a fabulous leader on the dance floor. Would wonders never cease?
 “You’re doing well. You’re doing fine,” he assured her. “We’re gonna try a little promenade now, and then a twirl, so get ready.”
Carrie couldn’t stop herself from smiling, anticipation bubbling for just a second. And then out of the corner of her eye she caught Ty watching them, beer half-raised in salute and a smirk plastered on his face. A moment’s hesitation and she missed the step.
 “What happened there?” asked Ray, oblivious to the effect the on-looker had on her.
Other couples were finally joining them on the dance floor, but despite the company, Carrie’s discomfort increased. “That boy, that Ty,” she told him. “He was watching us. It made me feel…uneasy.”
Ray scanned the sidelines, but Ty had gone, nowhere to be seen. “Oh, don’t pay him any mind. He’s harmless enough.”


Andrea's Links to Social Media:  WEBSITE AND BLOG:  http://andreadowning.com
Twitter:  @andidowning  https://twitter.com/AndiDowning
Linkedin:  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=124888740&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic
ABOUT ME:  http://about.me/Andi1948

Reviews:  "DANCES OF THE HEART by Andrea Downing is a fabulous Texan romance with plenty of action to keep you entertained."  Linda Green, Fresh Fiction
Tags:  Andrea Downing, Texas, New York City, East Hampton, Hill Country, writers, ranchers, military, loss

QUESTION FOR YOU:  Do you have anything in your past you just can't let go of?  Someone who hurt you, you just can't forgive?  An embarrassing situation you just can't forget and which still makes you blush to this day?  Or perhaps something you should have done and still regret not doing?

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Book Fun Friday Welcomes Tamra Bawman



Hello fellow readers. Happy Easter Weekend!

 If you haven't checked out my own personal debut novel, I'd love you to give it a whirl, simply click on the hot guy on the right for Dream Man....

This week Book Fun Friday Welcomes Tamra Bawman with her small town contemporary. Be sure to answer her question and/or leave a comment and be entered into her drawing!




Tamra's Bio: Tamra Baumann became hooked on writing the day she picked up her first Nora Roberts novel from her favorite bookstore. She is a Golden Heart® and Golden Pen winner. When she’s not writing this voracious reader can be found playing tennis, traveling, or scouting reality shows for character material.





Book Title:It Had to Be Him

Log Line:  Fun small town contemporary with lots of heart.


Book Tag:In this fun and flirty new romance, a reformed bad girl returns to her small hometown to avoid the man who shattered her heart.  But when she discovers the truth about his past and his secrets unravel, can she learn to trust again and let him win back her heart?


Book Blurb:
Even though Meg Anderson’s hell-raising days are over, coming home to Anderson Butte isn’t easy, especially when her impossible-to-please dad is the mayor and her do-gooder siblings run the place. But with another job lost and the gorgeous father of her daughter trying to make contact after disappearing three years ago, a break is definitely in order. Hopefully the little town filled with big, juicy secrets can help.
After being off the grid for years, Josh Granger, a man with his own secrets, wants Meg and his daughter back. But first he has to get past townspeople as protective as a pack of rottweilers. He’s not the man Meg thinks he is, but he can’t tell her why…not yet.
As Meg slowly warms to Josh, it’s clear the old spark is still there. But when his secret is exposed—along with Meg’s own shocking revelation—will it tear their family apart again, or bind them forever?


Excerpt:

Meg Anderson slowed her rust bucket SUV, cut the engine, then glided quietly down the hill toward the moonlit lake. The lights were all out in her shotgun-packing grandmother’s house, but gran was a light sleeper.
She’d had buckshot plucked from her ass before and would rather give birth again than repeat that horrendous procedure. Especially because the only doctor in her small hometown had been her oldest brother—doesn’t get more embarrassing than that.
She parked behind the equipment shed then hopped out of the car to perform a little B & E into her grandmother’s guesthouse.
When a girl needed somewhere to hide out for the summer, what better place than a teeny, tiny town in Colorado where her middle brother was the Sheriff, her father the Mayor, and her sister ran the only hotel. The townspeople lived for gossip when they weren’t busy keeping secrets, and that’s just what Meg needed. The keeping secrets part. The gossip not so much. Especially because it was usually about her.
And if the stars would all align for the first time in her life, her father would have had a change of heart. Hopefully he will have forgotten that part about how she’s never allowed to work for the family business again, because she was out of options. But there was no way anyone was going to take away the one good thing in her life.
Her daughter Haley.
Meg tested the handle on the guest house. It was locked. People didn’t lock doors in Anderson Butte as a rule. But grandma’s guest house, close to the shore and the hotel, had been used in the past by amorous couples who’d stumbled upon it for some naughty times. Luckily grandma never figured out some of those fun times had been Meg’s.


Question for you Dear Reader (leave your answer in the comments): Do you have a favorite small town or are you from one?

Contact Tamra:

Links (website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, book buy links, etc.):
Twitter: @ABQTamra


Contest Giveaway One lucky commentator will receive a $10.00 Amazon card for just saying hi, or telling me about your favorite small town.