My Favorite Five Authors by Shannyn Schroeder - Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Shannyn will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the combined set of tours (Virtual Book Tour). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

My Favorite Five Authors and Their Books

Hi, and thank you so much for hosting me today. The topic for this blog post was much harder to write than I first anticipated. Like everyone, I have favorite authors, authors who are auto-buy for me. It doesn’t matter what they write; I want to read it. But narrowing it down to only 5 authors was tough. And then I had to choose a favorite book from each of them. It was like torture. After much consideration, and hours combing my kindle and bookshelves, I was able to develop a list.

1. Jennifer Crusie – I like pretty much everything Jenny Crusie has written, but I think my favorite will always be my first Crusie, Bet Me. I picked up Bet Me after seeing it recommended in many different places as a go-to book for contemporary romance. At the time, I hadn’t read a lot of contemporaries, and I had started writing my first, so I wanted to explore the genre. She had me hooked from the beginning. A strong, full-figured heroine who loves Krispy Kreme donuts and a man who loves watching her eat. The thing I remember most about Cal was his internal voice that kept pushing him towards Min.

2. Jill Shalvis – I love the Lucky Harbor series, but Head Over Heels is my favorite. Opposites attract is one of my favorite tropes and Sawyer and Chloe are about as opposite as they come. She’s a troublemaking free spirit and he’s a sheriff. Plus, there’s the complication of Chloe having asthma, which acts up any time she does something physical, which means Sawyer has to be creative when they get physical.

3. Shannon Stacey – Besides having a fabulous first name :-), Shannon also writes great families. I love the Kowalskis and Yours to Keep is my favorite. Sean is an army guy (and I love a man in uniform – doesn’t matter that he’s out, I know the uniform exists). Although the pretend fiancé/convenient engagement is not one of my favorite tropes, I adore this story. Sean pretends to be Emma’s fiancé and they of course fall in love. What made me fall for Sean, though, is that when he wants Emma to know something about him (like how he HATES broccoli) he leaves a sticky note where she’ll see it. We get to know Sean as Emma does, with the help of Post-its.

4. Julie James – I really like all of Julie’s books and she does a great grumpy alpha, but About That Night was different because the hero, Kyle, is smart (truly brilliant) but he doesn’t always think things through, which is how he landed in jail for hacking Twitter. In this book, he’s out of jail, but he’s known as the Twitter Terrorist and although it bugs him, he’s pretty good-natured about it. Kyle’s close to his sister, so you know he’s got to put up with a ton of teasing. I think what struck me with Kyle was that he was relentless in his pursuit of the heroine, without going caveman.

5. Ruthie Knox – Seriously, Ruthie is one of my new favorites. Her first book just released last year, but her writing is phenomenal. I’m not really sure if I could pick a favorite of hers. Ride With Me has a wonderfully cranky hero, and About Last Night has City, who’s a fabulous beta hero, and her novellas just grab me and make me want more. If I really had to pick, I think I’d go with Along Came Trouble. Caleb is a level-headed, assertive body guard who is assigned to watch over Ellen, who doesn’t want to be watched. I could really identify with Ellen because her greatest fear was losing herself to a man. It’s something that I can respect and understand and it made me want to cheer for Caleb that much more.

As you can see by looking at my list, my favorite books are chosen pretty much based on the hero. But my favorite writers grab me with the story and the way they turn a phrase to keep me clinging to each page, hoping the end doesn’t come too soon.

If you had to choose 1 author/book/hero, who would it be and why?

About the Author:

Shannyn Schroeder is a former English teacher, who now works as a part-time editor while raising her three kids.

Even though she wrote from high school through college (mostly poetry), she’d never considered a career as an author. Writing fell by the wayside as she focused her energy on creating lesson plans and new and fabulous ways to torment her teen students. One group in particular dubbed her “The Torture Master,” a title she carried into motherhood.

After the birth of baby number two, Shannyn resigned from teaching and fell in love with reading romance novels. She read so many books so quickly that her husband teased, “If you’re going to read so many damn books, why don’t you just write one?”

So she did.

That first book is safely buried on her hard drive, but the process set Shannyn on the path to professional author. She came to reading romance later than many, but lives for the happy ending because real life can be depressing. She writes contemporary romance because she enjoys the adventure of new love.

In her spare time, she loves to bake cookies and watches far too much TV, especially cop shows. She is recovering from her Diet Coke addiction, fears putting her foot in her mouth on social media, and has a renewed appreciation for the bad girls of the world.

Web site: http://www.ShannynSchroeder.com
Twitter: @SSchroeder_

A passionate free spirit and a sweet-talking playboy sound like a match made in heaven—until life gets in the way of all the fun and games…

Indy Adams values her freedom above all else. She works hard to support herself, moonlighting as a waitress while she fights for her first big sale in the Chicago real estate market. The last thing she needs is to be tied down, so she doesn’t think twice about declining her philandering boyfriend’s marriage proposal. Besides, she just landed a new client, a wealthy lothario—exactly the kind of guy who would understand her no-strings approach…

Handsome, rich, and charitable, most women jump at the chance to even talk to video game developer Griffin Walker, let alone date him. So he can’t understand why Indy wants nothing more than a few steamy nights together. Despite his romantic track record, Griffin longs for real love—complete with a home and family—and he wants it with Indy. But a blessing in disguise may lead them both to a life they never expected, and give Griffin a chance to show Indy that it’s okay to want more than a good time…

Enjoy an excerpt:

Indy arrived at a family dinner wearing her inappropriate barmaid uniform. She’s changed and is trying to avoid her father. (373 words)

Indy took one last deep breath, brushed her hair, and left the bathroom. She eased quietly into the kitchen in search of some alcohol.

Griffin stood leaning against the counter drinking a beer like he was waiting for her. He looked down at her gauzy white blouse and long black skirt.

Before he could comment, she swiped his beer and took a swig. Alcohol wasn’t going to help, so she returned the bottle.

As she bent over to grab a bottle of water from the fridge, Griffin said, “The other outfit would’ve given me a much better view.”

She spun around and leaned against the door. “If you like it so much, maybe I’ll wear it next time I show you a house.”

“I’d enjoy that.”

Flirting with Griffin definitely took her mind off the guests in the other room. She opened the water and drank.

“So what’s with the clothes? Those aren’t really yours.”

“Yes, they are. The General out there would throw a fit over most of my wardrobe. I’m keeping the peace for Quinn’s sake.” The cool water eased down her throat.

“So you pretend to be something you’re not.”

His statement shot through her—an arrow of truth—but she felt the need to defend herself. “I’m trying to prevent any ridiculous arguments. But he’ll start. He’ll bait me. I’ll walk in there, and he’ll say,” she lowered her voice in imitation baritone as she spoke, “Independence, that is more appropriate attire. If you acted more like your sister, you’d be married.”

“Wait. Your name is Independence?” Deep dimples bracketed his broad smile.

She nodded, his smile contagious. “I figured you knew. I was supposed to be John and child number two out there, Quincy.”

He choked on his beer. “You’re not serious. John and Quincy Adams? You made that up.”

She peered over the breakfast counter into the living room. “I wish. We ruined his grand plan for forming a family militia by being born with vaginas.”

Luckily the beer hadn’t made it back to his mouth or she would’ve been wearing it. He laughed so loud the din from the other room quieted.

“Now you did it. Our hiding place is ruined. Time to go play nice.”

The Complete Lily Lansing by Bastian Caldwell - Review and Giveaway

(Women's Contemporary Fiction)

This review is posted in conjunction with the author's virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $10 Wild Child gift certificate to a randomly drawn commenter. Click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.




Lilike Avrill Lansing is damaged. She is also unemployed, barely surviving a loveless marriage, and hiding a secret so painful that it’s eating her alive.

The damage began when, as a student, Lily, inhabited a unique and dangerous world: Whitman College. Located in a small city with big murder and crime rates, it is nothing like the suburb she was raised in. But the harsh city is not nearly as dangerous as the predators that roam the Whitman campus, preying on innocence and leaving a trail of ravaged souls in their wake.

The damage culminates ten years later at a dinner party where in the span of an evening Lily destroys her marriage and alienates her friends. She finally realizes that she must tell everyone the truth about what really happened during her years at Whitman. But can her marriage, her friendships, survive the truth?

The Complete Lily Lansing takes you on an emotional and often humorous journey as Lily struggles to make peace with the past and embrace the present. Along for the ride are Erica, Lily’s movie buff best friend, and Petra, the girl in college who was known more for her bad reputation then her grade point average.

The novel touches lightly on contemporary issues like feminism, anorexia, relationships and sex, while conveying the positive message that honesty, laughter, friends, and watching the movie Gone With The Wind can fix anything.



Though a very well written book, The Complete Lily Lansing is not an easy read.

The heroine is difficult to empathize with.  I suppose she's a typical young adult... more than a little thoughtless and selfish, but more than once I wanted to smack her upside her head.  She keeps returning to a destructive relationship that's only about sex (at least on the boy's end -- and, honestly, I couldn't understand what Lily saw in Seth other than the fact he was cute and, I assume, good in bed), and is frequently blind to the good things right in front of her.

Admittedly, she goes through difficult times, and didn't have the most loving of parents. Bad things happen to her, more than once, and she internalizes most of it, figuring it's all her fault which leads to other problems. Granted, her poor decisions lead to some of those things, but she still doesn't deserve to have them happen.

Before you think she's not a nice person, she really is. She's a good friend, and eventually tries to be a good wife, but she has so much baggage, she's unable to really just let go and love.  And ultimately, that's what this book is about: letting go of the past and moving forward.  And this is what makes the read worthwhile and the ending of the book a sigh of relief after her exhausting and emotionally draining journey.

I loved her friends, Erica and Petra. They're unique and well drawn.  They have their own issues, but loyalty isn't one of them.  Her husband and other secondary characters contribute nicely to the book as well.  It's interesting to watch them all move past their college selves and into real lives where they're nice, good, responsible people (but not boring in the least!).

The biggest recommendation for this book for me was the artistry of the writing and the top quality editing.  The author has a strong voice and her writing is descriptive and clear.  It's this talent that will keep people reading this, and other books she write.

If you love a book which puts the leading lady through a pressure cooker, but she comes out a diamond in the end then I can recommend The Complete Lily Lansing.

3.5 Flowers - This was a good book. I liked it.

Enjoy this excerpt:

Lily was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Petra enter her room, even though Petra’s stilettos cracked like hammers on the bare wood floor. A tight black miniskirt stretched to cover Petra’s ample derrière, worn with a shiny pink blouse and enormous gold hoop earrings.

“I can’t believe you’re not ready!” Petra said with a toss of her thick auburn hair.

Lily rose from the bed and went to look at herself in the mirror. “I’m ready. I just need to brush my teeth.”

“Didn’t you wear that outfit to school today?” Petra sized up Lily’s jeans, blouse, and loafers.

“So? It’s still clean.”

“I thought you might want to wear something a little more sexy. We’re going to a frat party, not the library.”

Lily took in Petra’s outfit, which seemed more appropriate for a street corner.

“I’m not trying to impress anyone,” Lily said.

“Not even Seth?”

Lily frowned, drawing her brows together as if she were in sudden pain; she had been hoping to see Seth at the party, but would never admit it to Petra. “I don’t have anything like what you’re wearing,” Lily said, and suddenly wished that she did.

“Well I don’t feel like waiting around for you to fix your face, and there’s not much we can do with your hair. What other shoes do you have?”

“I have black sneakers and tan cowboy boots.”

Petra touched three red-tipped fingers to her forehead as if it were all too much to bear.

“And sandals,” Lily added in an apologetic voice.

“That’ll work. Here, give me your brush.”

Petra wet the brush with hairspray and made a deep side part in Lily’s flaxen hair, coaxing each strand into place. “Keep this side tucked behind your ear, and let the rest fall into your eyes. That’s sexy.”

Bastian is living her dream life at the beach with her family and her poodles.

The Complete Lily Lansing is her first novel.

Website: http://bastiancaldwell.weebly.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BastianCaldwell
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/bastian.caldwell
Facebook Novel Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Complete-Lily-Lansing/196192900514986

Ennara and the Fallen Druid by Angela Myron -- Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Angela will be awarding to a randomly drawn commenter during each week on the tour, a wall calendar print from http://www.cafepress.com/ennaraswag (Items can be exchanged for other equal or lesser value items from Ennara Swag on Cafepress.), and will award a t-shirt from http://www.cafepress.com/ennaraswag to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Thanks to Angela for stopping by and answering our questions.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?
It’s the sense of possibility in fantasy and science fiction that I find exciting. That between these covers are people just like me, living in a world where they can fly on dragons, battle with robots, and undertake heroic journeys. It reminds me of the wonder I felt as a child, and allows me to live in those magical worlds, even if only for as long as the book lasts.

What world-building is required?
You’ve probably heard that extensive world-building is needed in fantasy, and it is true. First and foremost, you need to create a world in which magic exists. Geographically and metaphysically. That is, you need to create the physical world and you need to define how magic works there. You’d think that in a magical world, anything can happen, but the opposite is true. In order for the world to feel real, the magic must be limited.
And then there’s all the rest of the stuff that goes into world building: culture, myth, traditions, prejudices, language, fashion, and food. In fantasy, you’re truly creating a full and complete world.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.
I learned that for me, a character might not feel like a real person until you can make fun of her. I wrote Ennara with a full personal background, including strengths and faults, but she didn’t really come to life for me until I took her through some comedy exercises. Then her humanity and her fragility shone.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?
I now run all of my characters through comedy setups before writing with them, just to be sure that they have their own quirks, failings, and humanity, and so I can write funny scenes with them.

Are you a plotter or pantser?
I’m a dedicated plotter. I guess it’s just the tech writer in me—but when you start your writing career with manuals, you just learn to outline. You can create books faster, ensure all information needed is there, and organize your information better when it is outlined.
When writing fiction, I don’t outline to the same extent as I would with a user guide, however. I feel that would kill the fun of being in the adventure while you are writing it, and allowing for surprises. But I do outline all major plot points, the character development , and extras like comedy ahead of time. It keeps me on track.
I did try to pants it once, and I learned my lesson. The revisions required by that story would have tripled the drafting time, easily. Never again!

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?
My husband’s office chair, where he spends many hours gaming. An HP 3-in-1 printer that I bought in 2002, it still prints, scans, and copies wonderfully. Probably the best hundred bucks I ever spent on electronics.

Anything new coming up from you? What?
Yes! I’m currently working on book two of the Ennara series, Ennara and the Writ of Shadows. Book two picks up Ennara’s story in her second year of training at the Druidic Academy in Icelan.
I’m also writing a paranormal mystery under my pseudonym, Chase Theroux, called A Hair of the Dog. It’s the story of a young woman who is a werewolf. When she’s forced to solve who killed her friend and an unrelated cold case from thirty years ago, she discovers she’d bitten off more than she can chew, including the monster that cursed her.

Do you have a question for our readers?
Thick books or thin? What size of novels to you like to read?

Eleven year-old Ennara Gaern has a serious grudge against the dragon on her right hand.

Born with a caul—a mask that foretold magical powers—she was immediately inked with the fiendish, fire-breathing tattoo that forces her to study boring texts, cover her hand continuously, and worst of all, keeps her from visiting the beautiful capital city, Dordonne. But her quiet life changes when one night she is attacked by a shadowy demon.

Tork, an old friend and wizard, is enlisted to help. But when he arrives, he informs Ennara’s parents that she is her world’s only hope of finding the legendary Sword of Gisilfrid, which is needed to destroy the curse that is creating the demons. Ennara doesn’t want to leave on the dangerous quest, but when she learns the curse threatens her world, she reluctantly agrees.

Ennara and the wizard begin a perilous journey to the Sunken City, pitting them against dangerous oceans and pirates intent on claiming Ennara’s magic as their own. With only her friends at her side, including the intelligent, aquatic cat Smoos, Ennara must defeat monsters guarding the sword and servants of the Fallen Druid. When her world is covered in darkness, will she know how to dispel the curse?

Excerpt:

Ennara shuffled to the rear of the cheese vendor’s stall, crouched low, and aimed. “Mag gwihuwo!”

A fine finger of black smoke curled toward the meat shop. As the ashy spell landed on the animal parts, they twitched. A woman walking by the stand shrieked. The butcher looked up, his eyes bigger than eggs and his mouth in an “O.” Several shoppers shouted in astonishment. Others yelled and ran.

A passing monk cried, “The devil is among us!” as six headless hens wriggled their way off the hooks and scrambled on the ground, flapping their featherless wings.

Then the lamb legs got free, and there they were, bouncing round the empty area in front of the butcher’s stall. The crowd parted. Some ran home. Others ran inside stores and shut the doors, but many stayed to see what would happen. The center of the plaza was clear except for the butcher, who hid in his stall clutching a cleaver, the city sentinel, still holding Kithe, Mr. Dulfsnark, a dozen reanimated chickens, five dancing legs of lamb, and a menacing zombie hog.

The watchman spun around as the gathering dispersed and saw the reanimated meat. “What the…?”

A chicken bolted for the man’s leg. He released his grip on Kithe and punted the creature away. The chicken flapped its wings as it whizzed through the air and smashed into a vegetable cart.

Mr. Dulfsnark made a mad grasp at a bouncing leg of lamb and struggled to hang on to it.

“Hey!” the butcher called, “You’ll be paying for the lamb, Dulfsnark!”

About the Author:

Like many writers, I have a full life in which I juggle many duties and joys. I love to cook, garden, and play with my twins. As a mother to toddlers, I write whenever I am not helping them navigate their day--which typically means in the early mornings and early afternoons when they sleep, and sometimes when Grandma comes to visit.

I was twenty-two when writing became a passion of mine. I've been doing it in one form or another ever since. But it took me a very long time to follow my heart's desire to tell stories.

For years, I simply journaled. I delved into writing articles for newsletters and grant proposals. I settled into technical writing, often finding myself a one-person writing, editing, design, app development, and publication team. I learned the basics of journalism, and finally, when on maternity leave with my twins, I turned to writing fiction.

I am grateful for every reader I have. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it can also be a dialog, a meeting of the minds. I invite you to connect with me:

Twitter
Facebook
Website
Join my street team! Email me at myronangela@gmail.com to subscribe to my newsletters.

Buy the book at Amazon, BN.com, Smashwords, or ITunes.

Smokin' Hot Firemen -- Excerpt and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly drawn commenter during the tour will receive a $50 Amazon GC. In addition, Maggie Wells will award a pocket rocket firemen lip gloss and downloads of her St. Blaise series books (the lip gloss is limited to US only).

Who can melt any woman’s heart with a single smile? The sexiest icon of all—a fireman!

They enter fiery structures with selfless courage–the very definition of the word “hero.” Women understand their allure… A soot-covered face, sweat dripping from hard, chiseled muscles, the sharp snap of suspenders—yes, only a fireman can make suspenders sexy! Delilah Devlin’s burning-hot book includes thrilling stories teeming with gorgeous firemen from some of today’s hottest romance writers. In “Saving Charlotte,” Sabrina York’s firefighting Dom rescues a woman tied to a red-hot bed; from Cathryn Fox comes “Temperature Rising” where a fire chief fulfills some very steamy fantasies; Elle James’s “Chasing Fire” sees a daring smoke-jumper parachuting into the hot zone of a forest fire then setting his girlfriend ablaze with erotic heat; and Magic Mike ain’t got nothin’ on Delilah’s own fireman-turned-exotic-dancer-for-a-night “Johnny Blaze.”

With a list of award-winning authors that includes Ily Goyanes, Shoshanna Evers, Adele Dubois, and Rachel Firasek, Delilah delivers tales of these courageous men sliding down their big poles to steal readers’ hearts! Smokin’ Hot Firemen imagines the romantic possibilities of being held against that massively muscled chest by a man whose mission is to protect and serve…

Excerpt from Rescue Me by Maggie Wells
When a hot fireman breaks down the wrong door, a smart woman drops her towel.

The pounding started just as Addi Mason rinsed the conditioner from her hair. Too tired to deal with Mr. Grabowski’s incessant complaining about the height of her grass, she groaned and dunked her head back under the spray. This was America, damn it. If she wanted to let her lawn grow over the two inches her nosy neighbor deemed optimum it was her business, not his.

Another round of pounding echoed through the empty house and she yanked open the shower curtain, glaring at the bathroom door. He even measured it! The man actually took a ruler and measured individual blades of grass. He claimed they were over five inches long but she wasn’t about to double-check him. Hell, five inches wasn’t enough to get any woman excited.

She switched off the water, yanked her towel from the bar, and wrapped it around her dripping body as she climbed from the tub. The wood floors were cool as she stomped through her bedroom, ramping up to give the old man a piece of her mind.

The sound of men shouting carried through the door slowed her footsteps at the end of the hall. Had Mr. Grabowski formed some kind of posse to bring her to lawn care justice? She almost ran back to the shower but another round of rapping steeled her resolve. Knotting the bath sheet between her breasts, she marched forward to meet the enemy head-on, but drew up short when a sharp crack split the air.

Her front door exploded.

One second it was intact, the next, shards of shrapnel from the wood frame showered the rug and pinged off the walls. Addi screeched, instinctively raising her arms to shield her face. The hulking figure of a man filled the open doorway. She had barely a moment to register the vision of a firefighter in full gear before he lunged through the door, barreling straight for her. She sucked in a sharp breath and the knot unraveled. Damp terry cloth hit the floor in a heap at her feet and his hard shoulder pressed into her stomach.

About the Author: By day, Maggie Wells is buried in spreadsheets. At night, she pens tales of people tangling up the sheets. She'll tell you she's a deep down dirty girl, but you only have to scratch the surface of this mild-mannered married lady to find a naughty streak a mile wide.

Website: http://maggie-wells.com/

A May Day Anthology - Review Tour and Giveaway

(Paranormal Romance)

This review is done in conjunction with the authors' virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. They will be awarding an E-Book copy of A St. Patrick's Day Tale to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop., so comment here today for your chance to win! Click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour to increase your chances of winning!




May Day has been celebrated since Roman times with dancing, baskets of flowers, and bonfires. In this collection of May Day stories, Rogue's Angels--Christine Young, C.L. Kraemer, Rosemary Indra and Genie Gabriel--continue the celebration with humor, faeries and falling in love.

Highland Miracle -- Christine Young

HURTLED THROUGH TIME, Sean Michael Sterling, landed in the midst of a May Day celebration he didn’t understand, assuming the role of Laird Sterling.

ILLIGITAMATE CHILD OF NOBILITY, Reagan Douglas searches for a way out of her half brother’s house.

Defying the Odds -- C.L. Kraemer

The night elves on the hill aren't happy without their magic. They concoct a plan to punish those who were involved in the act that rendered them almost human. Meanwhile, Uther, the rogue night elf, has returned to woo the Librarian to be his eternal mate.

Love in Bloom -- Rosemary Indra

When childhood friends reunite it takes two fairies and a matchmaking daughter to help them admit their true love for each other.

No More Poodle Skirts -- Genie Gabriel

After drifting for years in the innocent age of the 1950s, a woman struggles to join today's world by finding a career and a new love, with some help from her zany family.




Do you like a short book you can read in one day? Do you like sweet romances? Do you like romance that gets a little nudge from the magic folk? Then this anthology is the book for you! Each of these books is just right for an afternoon or evening's reading. And, there's not a bad story among them.

Sean Michael Sterling, in "Highland Miracle," switches places with the actual Laird of the manor with the help of a pair of fairies and a stray dog--just so a couple can find their soulmates.

"Defying the Odds" finds some night elves in a quandry--two of them have had their magic removed because they kept causing mischief...and they are not happy. Even without magic, they still manage to cause trouble for their cousin and the human he has grown to love. Love the way Uther solves the problem!

Rosemary Indra's "Love in Bloom" was a very very sweet story about a little girl who has two "imaginary" friends--the only thing is, her dad doesn't realize they are real fairies. And, the three of them are on a mission--to get dad a new wife.

The final book may be last--but it's defnitely not least. You will have fun with the quirky characters and the way they work together to find Happy Ever Afters for more than one person in their town.

All the authors have done a wonderful job with these four stories themed around May Day and the magic that it brings. I give this anthology a rating of 4 flowers.




About the Authors:

C. L. Kraemer

C. L. Kraemer is a wanderer, a way of life started when her father served in the U.S. Marine Corp. She’s carried on the tradition seeing most of the continental United States as well as Hawaii and Alaska.

Three contemporary romance novels written under the nom de plume, Celia Cooper: Old Enough to Know Better; Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Mazatlan; and If Only were gifts from the writing gods. A fourth novel, Cats in the Cradle of Civilization, written as C. L. Kraemer is her first venture to the mystery genre. Wings ePress, Inc. is the publisher of these four offerings.

Healthy Homicide, the October 2008 launch book for a new publishing house, RoguePhoenixPress, picks up the torch again in the mystery world. In February 2010, she contributed writings to two Valentine’s Anthologies at RoguePhoenixPress: A Valentine Anthology, with The Lending Library and A Different Kind of Valentine with The Prize.

She completed the base story in a Dragon fantasy series, Dragons Among Us, for RoguePhoenix Press. The second in the series, Dragons Among the Eagles, was released June 2011.

Meadows of Gold, another faerie story, was released March 2011 as part of A St Patrick’s Day Tale. A novel based on one of the first mass shootings, which took place in Salem, Oregon in 1981, Shattered Tomorrows, was released August 2011. Currently in the works for publication is a commuter book featuring a motorcycle poker run, Joker’s Wild, and the third in the dragon series, Dragons Among the Ice.

Rosemary Indra:

Ever since her mom gave her a romance book when she was a teenager Rosemary has enjoyed happier-ever-after stories. She has been writing her own happy endings most of her adult life. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and crafts. She has two grown children and a three year old grandson who keeps her busy. Her and her husband live in a small town in Oregon.

Christine Young

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children. Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Genie Gabriel

For years I've been fascinated by the puzzle of why some people collapse under life's traumas and others emerge triumphantly stronger. In a job surrounded by social workers and in my personal life, I was exposed to the darker side of life. Yet amid the stark realities of abuse, addictions, violence, and betrayal shone the bright light of strength, hope and forgiveness. These triumphs of the human spirit over the ugliest of adversities became the basis for my stories. My passion for writing became an outlet for the powerful message that people can overcome great difficulties and forge their own happy endings.

C.L. Kraemer
Rosemary Indra
Christine Young
Genie Gabriel
Rogue's Angels
Rogue Phoenix Press

The Hourglass by Sharon Struth - review tour and giveaway

(Romantic Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance)

This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Sharon will be awarding a $20.00 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment here today for your chance to win! Click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour to increase your chances of winning!



Can forgiveness survive lies and unspoken truths?

Until Brenda McAllister’s husband committed suicide, she appeared to have the ideal life: a thriving psychology practice, success as a self-help author, and a model family. But her guilt over her affair with Jack’s best friend prevents her from moving on. Did Jack learn of her infidelity? Was she the cause of his death?

The release of Brenda’s second book forces her into an unexpected assignment with arrogant celebrity author CJ Morrison, whose irritating and edgy exterior hides the torment of his own mistakes. But as she grows closer to CJ, Brenda learns she wasn’t the only one with secrets—Jack had secrets of his own, unsavory ones that may have led to his death. While CJ helps Brenda uncover the truth about her husband, she finds the path to forgiveness isn’t always on the map.



This story began with Brenda rushing to get a cup of coffee at the hotel where she was staying. When she turned, going back to her room, she bumped into CJ, spilling hot coffee down the front of his jacket as he was heading out for a very important meeting. As you can imagine, this didn’t go over well with CJ. He let her know in no uncertain terms what he thought of her. Unfortunately, Brenda had been hired to work with him on his upcoming book. You can imagine how the sparks flew between them.

As I continued reading, I realized that this was not a typical romance. Neither was a young, 20 to 30 year old. They were much more mature. As a psychologist, Brenda knew better, but CJ brought out the worst in her, much to her dismay. I really enjoyed the verbal back and forth battles between the two of them. As they fought, they each discovered things about themselves that they needed to learn.

The romance between them did evolve, and it was done in a beautiful and realistic way. Each had things in their past that had to be resolved. They each tried to hide these things from the other. Brenda was still dealing with the suicide of her husband two years before, and CJ had never gotten over the death of his wife in an automobile accident ten years previously.

As they continued meeting, their delightful back and forth arguments continued, but they actually began to enjoy them. It was fun watching them resolve their problems and really get to know each other. Also, there were mysteries involved with the death of both partners that they had to deal with-- CJ, because he felt guilty and thought he had caused the death of his wife, and Brenda because she couldn’t understand why her husband had killed himself.

How these mysteries were resolved was so well done, I felt I was sitting by the characters as things happened. This writer is exceptional, and the way you get to know all her characters so completely is outstanding. She showed how people can overcome life’s obstacles and begin to live again. I really enjoyed this story.

4.5 Flowers - This was a very good book! I'd recommend it to my friends.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

An unexpected gravitational pull swelled Brenda’s anger. Her cute quip ran into hiding. She no longer cared about winning this man’s favor. His rudeness left her feeling as if she’d been doused with hot coffee this time. Brenda clenched her fists. A year of internal browbeating over Jack’s suicide had left her easily irritated.

Brenda gripped the frail edges of her self-control. “I once again offer my apologies for the accident, by definition an unplanned event with lack of intent.” He looked down his sturdy, Grecian nose at her, so she stood and put her hands on her hips. “Shouldn’t you, as a writer, know that?”

Every line on his face tensed. “I could do without your sarcasm.” He leaned closer. “Thanks to you, I missed my meeting. Maybe tomorrow morning you could get room service.”

The brunette unleashed a tight smirk. CJ motioned for them to move on.

Brenda fumbled for a good retort. As he stepped away, the last word went with him. The same way Jack had the last word in their life together. A silent explosion went off inside Brenda’s head and propelled her anger forward.

“Mr. Morrison?” She raised her voice to be heard above the crowd.

He looked over his shoulder and arched a questioning eyebrow.

Brenda crossed her arms and fixed a phony smile as she nodded toward his companion. “It’s so nice of you to bring your daughter to the conference.”

Novelist Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, received first place in the Dixie Cane Memorial Contest and second place in the Golden Heart. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut, along with her husband, two daughters and canine companions. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit http://www.sharonstruth.com.

Discover more about Sharon Struth here:

Blogs at "Life in the Middle Ages” http://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com
Website: www.sharonstruth.com
Facebook Author Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Struth-Author-Page/139641182749036?ref=
OTHER LINKS:
THE HOURGLASS Webpage and Trailer: www.thehourglassnovel.com
Buy the book at Amazon Barnes and Noble All Romance Ebooks Kobo

Eye Spy by Jenna Mattison - Virtual Tour and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jenna will be awarding one digital copy of Eye Spy to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When Liza Radley realizes it’s cheatin’ season and no self-respecting detective’s gonna spy on her husband for the $800 and change she has hidden in a plastic soap dish, she does what any normal transplanted Georgia Peach would do--she becomes a private eye. While downing her fourth maple-glazed curbside, Liza discovers “Eye Spy”, a shop for the self-motivated sleuth in the heart of Boston. Inspiration strikes and she enters the world of Jack Parella, the owner/operator who talks like Humphrey Bogart but with a Southie accent and is more than willing to train Liza in the ways of amateur sleuthing, while simultaneously infuriating and titillating her. Though Liza starts the journey intending to rebuild her crumbling suburban life, she finds herself thrust into a fiery mystery as head of "Crimes of the Heart Detective Agency" with Parella by her side. Thus our dynamic duo is primed for their next adventure.

Now enjoy an excerpt:

All men cheat. At least that’s what I’d always heard but I never believed a word of it.

Until today.

I’m Liza Radley, I live in a two story gunmetal grey house near the end of a cul-de-sac. Bernie and I couldn’t afford actual cul-de-sac status six years ago when he started his practice here in Andover. Since then we’ve built our lives together brick by brick but now I find myself rifling thru his underwear drawer on a Thursday morning wondering if some young wolfette is trying to blow our house down.

Or blow my Bernie for that matter.

I mean, it’s not like I actually suspect him of the big A, but over breakfast my three best friends staged the suburban version of an intervention and now that the dirty little thought is lurking I can’t resist committing cardinal sin #1 from the Bad Wife Handbook. Snooping. Plus I want to prove the girls wrong and show them that my Berns and I are still in happily wedded bliss. Okay maybe not bliss…but I don’t know if bliss is even possible after 10 years of marriage so let’s just say we’re content in a frozen-lasagna-sex-once-a-month-with-the-lights-off sort of way.

Mattison started her career in Chicago appearing on television and radio. She founded founded Cheshire Smile Productions, bringing to life and penning her first feature film FISH WITHOUT A BICYCLE, a festival winning coming of age comedy which was directed by Brian Austin Green. “Fish” is now available on Netflix. Mattison also wrote Cheshire’s second release THE THIRD WISH now available at Blockbuster and distributed by the Hallmark Channel.

Lionsgate’s FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY, based on a true story of Jewish gangsters set in the 1970’s starring James Caan, Paul Sorvino, Edward Furlong and Jeffrey Tambor was also produced and written by Mattison. Most recently Jenna has written a TV movie called COMMITTED, which wrapped production this spring to premiere on television this fall. Her novel The Tree Of Jesse is a romantic religious thriller and will be released this spring, available worldwide. Mattison next novel is Eye Spy the first in a comedic romantic suspense series available this summer.

Website: http://jennamattison.net/

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Radley-Housewife-Detective-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00DUMWK4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373460775&sr=1-1&keywords=eye+spy+jenna+mattison

Cassie Scot: Paranormal Detective by Christine Amsden - Virtual Book tour and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Christine will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.
 

Enjoy an excerpt:

My parents think the longer the name, the more powerful the sorcerer, so they named me Cassandra Morgan Ursula Margaret Scot. You can call me Cassie.

I've been called a lot of things in my life: normal, ordinary, and even a disappointment. After the Harry Potter books came out, a couple of people called me a squib. Since I haven't read them, I have to assume it's a compliment.

Personally, I prefer normal, which is why the sign on my office door reads: Cassie Scot, Normal Detective.

You have to understand that around here, when your last name is Scot, people are easily confused. Not only are my parents powerful practitioners, but I have six talented brothers and sisters. Plus, my family hasn't always been known for its subtlety. When weird stuff happens around here, the people who are willing to believe in magic are prone to suspect the Scots.

The day I opened for business I got a call from an old woman who swore her cat was possessed by the devil. She also swore she'd read my web site, which clearly stated the types of work I did and did not do. Exorcisms were on the No list, and while I hadn't specified pet exorcisms, I would have thought it was implicit.

Award-winning author Christine Amsden has written stories since she was eight, always with a touch of the strange or unusual. She became a “serious” writer in 2003, after attending a boot camp with Orson Scott Card. She finished Touch of Fate shortly afterward, then penned The Immortality Virus, which won two awards. Expect many more titles by this up-and-coming author.

Website: http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/

Blog: http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/?page_id=200

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristineAmsden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Amsden-Author-Page/127673027288664?ref=hl

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1030664.Christine_Amsden

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/117845642477854934607/posts

Dreaming of Laughing Hawk by Linda Katmarian - virtual tour and giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions. Linda will be awarding a digital copy of her book to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In 1964 Elizabeth Leigh is looking forward to college, escape from her unhappy home, and the fulfillment of her dreams. Adventure. Love. Her place in the sun. On a restless afternoon, she leaves school early and discovers her mother is packing to run off with a lover, abandoning Elizabeth and her stepfather. Worse, she learns her mother has squandered the college money her grandfather left her.

A fortuitous invitation from her cousin Melina to come to Los Angeles rescues her from an uncertain future. In Los Angeles, Elizabeth finds security in the embrace of her aunt’s family and is introduced to the man who soon becomes her fiancé, Collin Greenslade, an ambitious, up-and-coming real estate developer. Life could not be more perfect.

When her cousin’s boyfriend, a civil rights activist, has his Thunderbird vandalized in Mississippi, he enlists his roommate, Mark Laughing Hawk, to tow his car back home. Melina insists that she and Elizabeth should come along for the ride, but what starts as a fun romp across the country becomes a journey of the soul that complicates love and endangers lives.

Dreaming of Laughing Hawk explores the desire for love, power, and sense of purpose and the lengths we will go to attain them.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Elizabeth

At her insistence, James had driven her by Grandfather's old farm one day. She had claimed curiosity, but she had gone expecting to rediscover something. The place had been burnt to the ground, her childhood memories reduced to a blackened foundation and a dingy clutter of outer buildings.

The image of leaving that spectacle of ruin was burnt in her mind—she and James driving down the gravel road. Weeds and the low-hanging branches of unpruned trees swooshed and thumped against the car while gravel popped loudly under the car's tires. As the car had bumped along, a flock of startled black birds exploded out of the brush. For a moment, they fluttered and swirled about like pieces of charred paper in the draft of a flame and then they were gone. The mind could play such tricks.

Author Linda Katmarian grew up in the Midwest and graduated with a Master’s Degree in French literature from Illinois State University. She has studied under Sol Stein, prolific author and former owner of Stein & Day publishing company in New York, and Louella Nelson, an experienced romance writer and teacher of fiction writing. In 2012, after a long career as a technical writer, Linda committed herself to writing fiction full time. She lives in Southern California. DREAMING OF LAUGHING HAWK is her debut novel.

Author page: http://amazon.com/author/lindakatmarian
Website: http://www.lindakatmarian.com
Blog: http://www.scheherazade-thewritinglife.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LindaKatmarian
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorlindakatmarian
Link to ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-of-Laughing-Hawk-ebook/dp/B00B2NWZRK/
Link to print book: http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Laughing-Hawk-Linda-Katmarian/dp/0988297205/

Author Interview: Heather Boyd

I'd like to welcome Heather Boyd, Regency Historical Romance Author, who was brave enough to come to It's Raining Books and answer a few of our questions!

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

In the beginning, romance novels made me laugh out loud and lifted my mood. I haven’t always read romance novels, but when I found historical romance genre it was fascinating and I had trouble not laughing at the situations the authors put their characters in. I read Medieval, Victorian and Scottish but I grew addicted to the light heartedness of Regency era more than any other. When I began to dream up my own first stories the heroes were always wearing a cravat (or removing one) and trying to win the girl. I write what I love to read.

What research is required?

The true Regency (when George, the Prince of Wales officially took over from his ill father) encompassed nine years from 1811 to 1820, but due to the influence of the Prince of Wales the regency is often described as being from 1780 to 1830. So far, most of my research for stories has focussed on a few years (1813 to 1815) and I’m always stumbling on a new and fascinating detail of early 19th century life. Just last week it was a Pudding Hat -- head protection for young children. I’d love to find a use for that one. I think focussing on one time period to write in and research is an advantage. But how did I start? I read a lot of research books, blogs too are a great beginning for new information, but I try to read as much primary source material (books published in that time) as I can.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

That every character can be redeemed, even misunderstood ones. For instance, in my book Engaging the Enemy, I ended the story with one secondary character’s sanity in serious doubt. However, that character was to be the heroine of the next novel in the series. Once we were finally in her point of view I had a chance to redeem her, make her actions understandable -- she was grieving and not thinking clearly -- and bring her back to life. That’s where my improper hero stepped in, helping her to accept the changes happening around her and showing her how to embrace a more relaxed way of living. She’s was one of my favourite and most challenging characters to write.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

No muse or major superstitions, but I do like to write the ending of the story just after I’ve started writing the beginning. A bit roundabout perhaps but I can usually see how the hero and heroine will be at the climax of the story really early on, sometimes before I start. I like to get the dialogue and basic setting for that scene down on the screen sooner rather than later. Then, I write toward that moment. Hopefully that makes sense.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

Pantser mostly. When I start writing, I have a strong idea of the beginning and ending plus fuzzy details of the major turning points, big decisions, my hero and heroine must make. I find that the more detail I have worked out in advance the harder it is to complete the story. My writing process is easier if I have fewer details set in concrete but that does mean I have to check research details at the end of the day while I’m writing or leave myself big notes in the draft manuscript to check something during edits. I truly love it when my characters surprise me.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Mouse, coffee, water bottle, iphone, photo of my kids and a Thor Bobblehead. He’s currently wearing a hair tie of mine as a sweatband. The man is hawt.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

July sees the release of Miss Watson’s First Scandal -- a sensual regency historical romance novella set in Brighton, England. No lords or ladies but a hardworking banker, a bold debutant, and an uncomfortable debt. Here’s the blurb:

Overworked London banker David Hawke has two goals for his week in the seaside town of Brighton: one, demand repayment of a debt without losing a valued friendship and two, relax for the remaining holiday without further distractions—except he encounters his friend’s newly confident younger sister. Abigail Watson is flirty, bold, and determined David will agree to her bargain and save her brother from debtor’s prison. But is her game to prevent him from calling in the debt, or are her sweet kisses a sign she is after a much greater prize instead?

Do you have a question for our readers?

I do actually. I like to write various length stories: short stories, novellas and novels. Miss Watson and her friends (three more books to be released over the next year) are novella length, about 30,000 words. The Wild Randalls series were all novels - 75 to 85,000 words. I’ve discovered writing various lengths is fun and keeps me happy and I hope my readers, too. I’ve just completed writing the last novel in the Wild Randalls series -- it's due out in September. Series take a lot of work and energy to do well and I cannot decide whether to embark on another novel series straight away or to write stand alone (unconnected) novels next. Which do you prefer, dear reader? Series or not?

About the Author:

Heather Boyd is the author of sizzling romance with an historical bent. A fan of regency England settings, she writes m/f and m/m stories that push the boundaries of propriety and even break the laws of that time. Brimming with new ideas, she frequently wishes she could type as fast as she can conjure up new storylines. Heather lives with her testosterone-fuelled family north of Sydney, Australia.

For more information visit: www.heather-boyd.com

Halo Legacy/Legacy Reborn by Genie Gabriel --Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. In celebration of the release of the nineth book in the series, Genie will be awarding nine $9 Amazon GCs -- eight will be awarded to randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and one will be awarded to a randomly drawn host. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

An attorney devoted to social causes and a burned out women's advocate help save their home town while struggling not to fall in love. However, an unintended pregnancy and a gift from the heart lead them on a journey to new possibilities and love.

Enjoy an excerpt

Once more dressed in jeans and her well-worn cowboy boots, with a jacket thrown on to ward off the chill evening air, Phoenix walked.

Against a backdrop of blue-green mountain peaks and the lightly wooded hillsides closer to the farm, the hens were settling in their coop, with only an occasional soft clucking.

Inside the boldly painted red barn, horses whickered in their stalls. She breathed deeply of the scents of horse and hay as she ambled through the dusty structure, then opened the side door and walked into the llama's pasture.

The male immediately approached her and nuzzled her cheek as she slung her arm around him. "I love you too, Romeo."

She closed her eyes and relaxed against the animal's woolly neck. However, her relaxation ended abruptly when the animal stiffened and emitted a shrill cry.

Following the animal's gaze, Phoenix saw CJ standing on the other side of the corral with his arms folded on the top board. "Will your llama spit in my face?"

"It's alright, Romeo." Phoenix patted the llama, then walked slowly toward the man who had occupied too much of her thoughts lately. "What brings you out this way?"

"You left the Governor's presentation right after you talked to Mitch. I wanted to be sure you were okay."

All the memories she had been trying to walk off slammed into Phoenix once more. "What is okay? I'm not sure I've ever been okay or ever will be. How can I find normal or happy when I don't think I've experienced those things?"

"You come up your own version of what makes you happy."

"A woman is dead because of me. How can I ever be happy knowing that?"

"Mitch said Swaggerty was waiting for Charlene. If it hadn't been that night, he would have killed her another way."

Phoenix let that statement sink in. One part of her brain knew that was true. So why did she cling to the blame for Charlene's death? Maybe she was afraid to move forward.

About the Author:

I'm an optimist whose rose-colored glasses have bent frames and cracked lenses. When life kicks me in the teeth, I find miracles and lessons I refused to learn an easier way. In fact, I live with a small herd of miracles in the furry forms of dogs, who are constantly trying to teach me to forgive, to play more, and to love without limits. I write about people who find courage and integrity in the darkest times of their lives, who rescue stray dogs and kittens, who find a person they would willingly give their lives for, and who make their little corners of the world a better place. People have remarked my stories "aren't what they expected." With rose-colored glasses firmly in place, I take that as a compliment. I invite you to share a piece of my world in the pages of a book, and hope you find some surprises, some tears, some laughter, and always a happy ending.

My Web site: http://www.GenieGabriel.com
My blog: http://oshealegacyseries.blogspot.com
NOTE: All nine books in the Halo Legacy Series will be $0.99 the day of the tour!
http://shop.roguephoenixpress.ieasysite.com/category.aspx?categoryid=82

Dead Women Tell No Lies by Nora LeDuc - review tour and giveaway

(Contemporary Romantic Suspense)

This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Nora will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment here today for your chance to win! Click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour to increase your chances of winning!



Two months after her disappearance, a young woman's body turns up on a New Hampshire riverbank hundreds of miles from home. Now the murder victim’s identical twin, Rose Blue, tries to use her flawed psychic connection to her sister to solve the tragic case.

Homicide Detective Luke Lennox is skeptical of her abilities and finds the mysterious newcomer a distraction. As the department’s latest hire, he has a lot to prove, and he’s learned from past experiences a personal involvement with Rose will only end in disaster. When a threatening message alerts Rose the murderer dreams of them together, Lennox must stay close to Miss Blue. With the clock ticking and a cunning killer always one step ahead, Luke reluctantly allows her close to him during his investigation. But can he protect her from the danger that lies ahead, or lose his heart and career in this deadly game of doubles?



I started getting tense on the very first page of this story, and it didn’t stop until the very end. It was fascinating, frightening and unique. This is the story of twin sisters who have a strong bond between them. Rose Blue always seemed to know when something was wrong with her sister Dahlia Blue. This last time she was devastated when Dahlia was murdered.

Rose travels to Ledgeview, NH from her home in Vermont because she has to find out what happened and why and who did it. She meets up with the head detective, Luke Lennox, and together they began looking for answers. Luke was not altogether happy with her joining him, but she was determined to find her sister's killer.

Following them was an absolute delight, step by step as they followed every clue they could think of. Sometimes they found a lead, but more often they reached a dead end. They relationship between the two was touching and sensitive, and I really loved the way the author included this so cleverly, that it was a necessary part of the story. Having the spirit of her sister visiting her was exciting and made this story even more interesting.

Throwing in occasional thoughts of the unknown killer only heightened the tension and many times I had to put the book down just to catch my breath. Still, I had to know how it ended so I would pick it up again and turn another page.

Several times I thought I had figured out the identity of the killer and I was always wrong. I like the fact that I couldn’t figure it out until the very end when it was given to me. Then I thought, “of course, I should have known,”. But I hadn't.

This author writes an outstanding romantic suspense. One of the best I have read in a long time. I would absolutely recommend highly.

5 Flowers - I loved this book! It's on my keeper shelf! I highly recommend it.



Now enjoy an excerpt:

A chill seeped into Rose Blue’s hands, through her jeans and stocking feet on the wooden kitchen floor. She paused over her unmade sandwich and stretched the cuffs of her navy turtleneck downward.

The rip of duct tape echoed in her ears. Footsteps crunched against the stones. Closer. Closer.

The granite counter blurred and warped into a granite ledge overhanging a river.

The vision sucked her in.

A shadowy figure hovered over a petite woman wearing a pink parka and lying on the ridge. Clammy strands of blond hair clung to a heart-shaped face, a face the mirror image of her own.

“Dahlia!”

Oh, God! Gooseflesh rippled up Rose’s spine. The shadow bound Dahlia’s hands and feet with gray tape, round and round. Terror flooded Rose’s chest. Goose flesh ripped across her arms.

“Help!” she screamed before the duct tape silenced her sister’s last cry.

Rose gasped and turned over. She was lying on the planked floor in her one bedroom apartment. What happened? The hum of the furnace kicking on followed by a flash of heat filled the first floor apartment.

Her head ached like someone had slugged her. Near her hand, she spotted the butter knife. She grabbed the weapon and crawled toward the granite counter. Gripping the edge, she hauled herself to her feet. She held the blade in striking position while she tossed frantic glances over her shoulder to search the area.

Was she suffering a migraine, going crazy? She listened for the creep of a footstep, the sound of breathing, any noise in her apartment. “Who’s there?”

Nora LeDuc lives in New England with husband, two children, cat, Scaredy and dog, Winter.

Dead Women Tell No Lies is her tenth published book. She loves to hear from her readers.

Visit her website at http://www.noraleduc.com/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Women-Tell-Lies-ebook/dp/B00CY1L0M0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369936905&sr=8-1&keywords=dead+women+tell+no+lies

See you next week!

We're taking the week off here at It's Raining Books in celebration of our nation's birthday.  Have a great week!