Monday, March 18, 2024

Focus on Linda Trout and the Rock Ledge series

Survival depends on facing her darkest fear…

Widow Melody Rose has already lost one man whose job involved guns and violence; she’ll never put herself through that again. At first, Sheriff Jake Bennett wants nothing to do with this taciturn café owner, but Melody intrigues him. When a stalker targets her, he’s determined to protect the woman he has fallen for. In order to survive, Melody must overcome her greatest fear and save the man who has claimed her heart.

Wild Women Authors features author Linda Trout and Tangled Promises, Book 1 in her award winning Rock Ledge series, a set of contemporary romantic suspense novels, first released in 2020 by the Wild Rose Press.

Excerpt:

Jake stopped and wrapped his arms around her trembling body as she buried her face in his shirt. Her hands continued to flutter. A low keening sound from her broke his heart.

Her knees gave way completely and she sagged against him. Jake scooped her into his arms and carried her far enough that the fog enveloped them, distancing them from the sights and sounds of the crime scene. She leaned against him, her soft body reminding him she was all woman.

He stopped at a pickup and sat on its tailgate, holding Melody on his lap. He’d witnessed a lot of traumatized people over the years, but to see the pain of this always in control, tough, take no guff from anyone business woman put a little crack in his cop-armor.

Melody turned into his chest, her shoulders shaking, as she silently cried. He didn’t speak, just gently rocked her until her tears were spent.

Finally, she took a deep breath and pulled away…her face puffy…her nose red. “I hate guns,” she whispered.

“I’m not too fond of them myself.”


Where to find Tangled Promises:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/vgchtky

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/rrfauzv

BookBub: Tangled Promises by Linda Trout - BookBub

Goodreads: Tangled Promises by Linda Trout | Goodreads

Google: Tangled Promises by Linda Trout - Books on Google Play

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/tangled-promises/id1505094041

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tangled-promises

  

Monday, March 11, 2024

Out of Body by Kimberly Baer

 Astral travel is amazing…if you survive the trip.

Those weird dreams Abby Kendrick has been having? Turns out they aren’t dreams after all. They’re out-of-body experiences, like the ones her cousin Logan is having. At first, Abby has fun with her new ability, using it to spy on her neighborhood crush and spook a mean girl. But when Logan gets in trouble on the astral plane, the game changes, and Abby must bend the rules of out-of-body travel as she journeys to a distant realm. Her mission is a perilous one, and success is not guaranteed. Can she save Logan and find her way home again? Or will the cousins be lost forever on the astral plane?

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature Out of Body, a YA paranormal novel, written by Kimberly Baer and released by the Wild Rose Press. First up is high school student Abby Kendrick.

Good morning, Abby. Thanks for joining us today. Let’s begin with you telling us a bit about Out of Body. It is the story of my adventures (or, more accurately, misadventures!) as an astral traveler. I was stunned when I discovered I had the ability to leave my body in spirit form and go flitting around the world—and beyond!—and I have to admit, I went a little crazy at first. I abused my power and did some really awful things. I hurt people. In the end, though, I used my power for good, so I hope that redeemed me in the eyes of God.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you do those awful things? It’s impossible to know for sure, but I don’t think I would. I’m not the same girl I was at the beginning of my story, so I can only hope my newfound morals would kick in and keep me on the straight and narrow.

What is your biggest fear? Being friendless and isolated. That’s something I lived through at the beginning of this story. I was an invisible girl with no real life of my own, and I never want to go through that again.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Citra from Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe series. She’s a kickass heroine who really grows throughout the story.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “Don’t collide with dead people.” Cryptic, I know, but you’ll understand once you’ve read my story.

Thanks for this, Abby. Now we’d like to speak with Kim.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? Janet Fitch’s White Oleander and Tana French’s The Secret Place both feature teenage characters so real that you can practically smell their shampoo. The beautiful, lyrical writing in Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver blows me away every time I read it. These authors are my role models; I aspire to their level of excellence.  

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? Before I started writing Out of Body, I’d never read a book about astral projection, either fiction or nonfiction. I did some research as I was writing, but the world-building comes primarily from my imagination. Assuming astral projection is a real thing, I probably stretched the limits of possibility—but, hey, that’s what fiction is all about, right?

Tell us a bit about your publisher. I heard about The Wild Rose Press from an acquaintance who’d published a book through them, so I took a chance and submitted my own manuscript, my first YA novel, The Haunted Purse. TWRP has an online forum where authors can share marketing tips, ask questions, etc. They also offer weekly online chats that provide guidance on a variety of topics—writing, marketing, upcoming events, and more. The submission process is a breeze, much quicker and easier now that I’m a returning author. From query to release, the process took thirteen months, longer than for my other three books. But that’s okay. I’m just happy the book is finally out there!

What are you reading right now? The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean. I’m a sucker for a unique premise combined with strong writing, and this book delivers. It’s about a group of people who literally eat books and absorb the knowledge within them.

What's next for you? I’m working on a sequel to Out of Body. Astral projection is a fascinating subject, one with infinite plot possibilities, so I feel compelled to keep going.

Kim brought an excerpt for us:

It had been a tiny, meaningless dream. Not much to offer plot-wise. Why was it thumping so insistently inside me?

You know why, said a firm, quiet voice in my mind.

But I don’t.

You do. It’s because—

I walked faster, trying to outrace the voice. Knowing I couldn’t.

—because there was something different about that dream.

No, there wasn’t!

Something strange.

“No,” I said, as if uttering the word aloud would give it more weight. “It was just a dream. A normal, stupid dream that didn’t mean a thing.”

Except it didn’t feel like a dream.

Yes, it did.

It felt like real life.

That’s crazy! That’s impossible! That’s—

Like. Real. Life.

The words slammed into me like three bullets. I stopped walking.

Like real life. That was how Logan had described his dreams before he’d realized they were out-of-body experiences.

Had the Roscoe dream been an OBE?

“No,” I moaned, sagging against a hefty oak tree in the Hoffmans’ front yard.

It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be. Out-of-body travel was Logan’s thing, not mine. I was letting my imagination run wild. My mother always said I was impressionable.

Then again, was it so crazy to think I might have the same weird ability Logan had? After all, we were cousins. Maybe it was a trait we shared, like our thin brown hair and knobby knees.

A violent shiver rippled through me, even though the sun was once more warming the air. The notion that I might have left my body like a dead person and flown off into the night was terrifying.

And also exhilarating.

To learn more about Kimberly Baer and the stories she creates go to: www.kimberlybaer.com.

Website: www.kimberlybaer.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14

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

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimberlybaer_author1

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Baer/e/B08D3RVKCH/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/kimberly_baer

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kimberly-baer


To Purchase Out of Body, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Out-Body-Kimberly-Baer-ebook/dp/B0CQ34D8H5/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144460559?ean=9781509253074

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203686468-out-of-body

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/out-of-body-by-kimberly-baer

Apple books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/out-of-body/id6474144928  

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/out-of-body-21

 

please include tweets if you have them

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1759539575825862917

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1754446101480866123

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1746889722658791687

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1749392715828076744

 

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Stone of Love by Margaret Izard

 Against all odds, is true love strong enough to save a human soul?

Wild Women Authors focus on Stone of Love, a paranormal romance, written by Margaret Izard and recently released by the Wild Rose Press.

About the Book: After leaving her abusive ex, American scholar Brielle DeVolt embarks on a career-changing opportunity: the renovation of a chapel ruin owned by Laird Colin MacDougall. The attractive, broad-shouldered laird may leave her weak-kneed, but can she trust herself to love again?

The first time Colin MacDougall sees Brielle DeVolt, he recognizes her as his soul mate. But when he learns his hereditary duty is to safeguard magic Fae stones, all he wants is to protect her from the evil forces of the Fae. Traveling to the past to assume his forefather’s identity and find a missing magic stone is challenging enough. When Brielle appears in the past, he is faced with fighting an evil Fae to save the realm, then must choose between saving the stone or saving his love.

 Excerpt:

Colin took a minute to study her. She was fair, with petite features and light-brown hair pulled into a loose bun, leaving golden tendrils desperately escaping, caressing her face. He wanted nothing more than to free the bun and run his fingers through the soft brown curls. Her cheekbones were high, with a spot of dirt on one side and a pert nose to match her tart personality. When she was angry a second ago, her eyes had flashed almost green. Now they were a light golden-brown, like a fine whisky.

His gaze traveled over her body. She wore twill pants and hiking boots with a button-down shirt that might have been tan if not for the light layer of gray dust. Under that sat a white tank top with a smudge of dirt on the front near her abundant cleavage. His gaze lingered, then continued to her petite features, set perfectly in her heart-shaped face. She wasn’t what he expected, far from it. Wait, she said her mom was from Glasgow.

“Was?” Colin asked quietly.

Brielle blinked.

He stepped away from the window at her blank stare and approached her. “Was. You said your mother was from Glasgow.”

She blinked again and rubbed the back of her neck, then gave two quick nods and replied, “Yes, she was. She died last year of cancer. My father passed the year before. I have a brother, but we aren’t close.”

He held out his hand, then glanced at it. Brielle stared at his hand, then tentatively placed her hand in his and peered at his face. He smiled as his other hand closed over hers and held it between his own, the energy flowing through the connection. The earth took a breath and held it, waiting for them. He had never had this reaction to a woman upon first meeting her.

Brielle pulled her hand from his and squared her shoulders. “You called me for an update on the renovation. Shall we go over it?”

Colin traveled past her, sat in his desk chair, and waited as she stood there fidgeting. Ah, the wee builder was nervous. She was attractive in a way Colin found endearing. The businesslike builder covered her charm. He hmphed. Too bad she was an American who might ruin his ma’s special project. He’d hate to ask the Historic Environment Scotland to replace her. She started to grow on him.

Brielle cleared her throat as she crossed to the desk, sat upright in the chair, clasped her hands in her lap, and began her report. “We’ve cleared away the rubble and overgrowth so we can start on the demo of the broken stonework…”

Her gaze shifted back to him, then dropped to her hands. “As you know, your ancestors built the chapel around the thirteenth century as a private chapel for the family. We consider the stonework the most detailed from that era.” He used to sit like this with his da, talk about life with a whisky in hand. He was always on the other side of the desk, nervous—like her. A drink, that’s what she needs, a smooth whiskey.

He rose and turned to the table. He didn’t ask, just poured two glasses. The scent wafted to his nose, reminding him of his da. He walked to her. She still spoke, as she fidgeted with her hands. He stood directly in front of her and handed her a glass.

She put her hands up, and he wiggled the drink under her nose, knowing the scent would tease her and make her mouth water in anticipation of that first smooth sip with a nip in it. “It’s Scotland. We drink all the time, plus it’s my da’s best stock.” He handed her the glass again. As she took it, their hands brushed, and awareness shot up his arm. He tried to appear unaffected as he leaned back against the desk with his arms and legs crossed. “Slàinte,” he said, leaning toward her and clinking her drink, “which is a toast to health.”

“I know what Slàinte means, thank you.” She raised her glass and spoke. “Slàinte,” she replied. She sipped it and smiled. He half expected her to choke, even though his da’s whisky was the smoothest in Scotland. Still, she was an American unused to uisge beatha, or the “water of life.”

Buy Links:
Stone of Love (Stones of Iona) by Margaret Izard | Goodreads

Amazon.com: Stone of Love (Stones of Iona Book 1) eBook : Izard, Margaret : Books

Amazon.com: Stone of Love (Stones of Iona): 9781509253364: Izard, Margaret: Books

Stone of Love by Margaret Izard | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Stone of Love by Margaret Izard, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Stone of Love (Stones of Iona Book 1) by Margaret Izard | Goodreads

 

A Bit About Our Focus Author: Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

You can find Margaret at:

Mizardauthor (@mizardauthor) / X (twitter.com)

Facebook

Margaret Izard Author (@mizardauthor) • Instagram photos and videos

Email: info@margaretizardauthor.com

 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Island Detour by Maria Imbalzano

 Some detours are worth the trouble…

      Falsely accused of wrongdoing at a Princeton Prep school, Sophie Kearns accepts a temporary teaching position at an environmental school in the Florida Keys to wait out her suspension. The time away is meant to be an anxiety-free escape, but her clashes with the hot but arrogant marine biology teacher, Max Heaton, are anything but tranquil.

     Max is determined to start an environmental research institute at the school, but he suspects the gorgeous new Lit teacher, who lacks even the most basic outdoor skills, is there to hinder that dream. Yet, something about her tames the demons from his past, and he can no longer ignore the fire she’s lit inside him.

 Wild Women Authors features New Jersey author Maria Imbalzano and Island Detour, a contemporary romance, recently released out of the Wild Rose Press. With Maria is teacher Sophie Kearns who will go first.

Good morning, Sophie. Thanks for visiting with us. Let’s begin with where you are from. Princeton, NJ.

Tell us a bit about Island Detour. This is the story of what happened to me when I was suspended from my dream job at the Valen School. I had just been nominated to become the Chair of the English Department—a huge stepping-stone to my ultimate goal of becoming the Head of School—when a video surfaced on social media that more than ruffled feathers at Valen. I was suspended immediately until an investigation could ensue and hopefully clear me. But I couldn’t just sit around while the board moved at a snail’s pace to investigate. So I called a friend of mine who runs Sunrise Island School in the Florida Keys to see about going down to visit. That led to a job for a semester teaching English, but the teachers there are also expected to engage in outdoor activities with the students as well as the other staff (which I didn’t find out about until I arrived). I’m more of a scholar who studies English Lit and writes papers for publication on the subject. I have never fished, kayaked, camped, or learned how to swim. This job is going to be more of a challenge than I had assumed.

What did you think the first time you saw Max Heaton? He picked me up at the airport, since my friend Andy, the director of the school, was busy. At first, he seemed mildly friendly, and he was over-the-top handsome, but within minutes of meeting him, he started telling me how hard the job would be, including having to do those outdoor activities I mentioned above. I thought he was kidding. My friend, Andy, knew I was not the outdoorsy camping, fishing, boating kind of gal. After that frightening conversation, he started grilling me on why I came to teach at a school where I clearly didn’t fit in. His warnings seemed to come with a wicked smile—as if he knew I wouldn’t last a week.  

What was your second thought? The next time I saw Max was in the open-air dining hall at dinner that night. All the other teachers were friendly and kind, but when I relayed that I didn’t know how to kayak, scuba dive, or camp to the others, he chimed in by calling me a prima donna in a none too friendly voice. Then he questioned my credentials. Our second encounter was even worse than our first.

Oh boy. It likely wasn’t love at first sight, correct? Absolutely not!

What do you like most about him? It took a while to get to know Max. He was an amazing biology teacher and engaged so easily with the students. He loved spending time with them after class, taking them on kayak tours to learn about marine life, or going camping with them to teach them how to survive in nature. He really cared about the environment and wanted to share his knowledge with others. He was nurturing, but not overly, allowing the kids to make mistakes and learn on their own. But he always had his eyes open, watching out for them, making sure they were safe.

How would you describe him? Max was a loner when he wasn’t with the kids. He enjoyed taking a rowboat out in the morning, just as the sun rose, to experience the peace and calm of being the only one out on the gulf. He loved walking the beach at sunset, enjoying the ever-changing colors of the sky against the blue horizon. He was also driven. He wanted to start an environmental research institute at the school, and although Andy was not on board, he persisted with his arguments at ever turn. He was also controlling, a rules-follower, arrogant, and devastatingly handsome.

Oh boy. How would he describe you? Conservative in my dress (he ridiculed my Bermuda shorts and button-down sleeveless blouses until I finally changed my wardrobe), a conformist, given my need to fit in, a great teacher who the kids loved, a hard worker, goal oriented, and collaborative.

What made you choose teaching for a career? I had an English teacher in high school who changed my life. I was floundering, almost failing because I was rebelling against the unfairness of not being able to go to the school I wanted to go to. Mrs. McCarthy lassoed me in and wouldn’t let go. I wanted to do the same for future high school students who felt like they didn’t belong.

What is your biggest fear? Not fitting in. Standing on the outside, looking in.

How do you relax? I don’t. I teach, I prepare, I write scholarly articles for publication, and I run a teaching academy during the summer for teachers.  

Who is your favorite fictional character? Jay Gatsby, mostly because I like to hear my students discuss his character after the book is assigned to them. It’s unclear throughout most of the book as to where he’s from, his cultural origin, where or if he went to college, and how he made his millions. Listening to my students’ opinions on these subjects, as well as whether they like him or not, is so entertaining.   

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Make education fun and your students will learn even more than you intended.

Thanks, Sophie. This has been very interesting. Now we’d like to speak with Maria.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I’m definitely a book person. “Gone With The Wind” was the first book with an emotional romance in it that I read and loved. All romance books by Judith McNaught had an impact on me, but especially “Perfect.” But it was a Danielle Steele book (I don’t remember which one) that had me talking to the pages, saying “I bet I could do this.”

Is there an event in your private life that you were able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? My husband and I have been going to Key West every year for the past 37 years. I know the island well and used it when creating Sunrise Island (a fictional key). My characters also visit Key West twice—once for a girls day of shopping and pampering and once when the teachers have a day off and go snorkeling off a catamaran they charter. The setting is a big part of this book and my knowledge of the Keys definitely helped.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I had given up looking for an agent. I had one for a few years, but I was not a priority for her and I finally cut the cord. With no agent, its next to impossible to submit to one of the big publishing houses, so I researched smaller publishers. The Wild Rose Press was one of them. I also knew two authors from NJ Romance Writers who had published with them, and they gave me positive feedback. The first manuscript I sent them was women’s fiction and they rejected it. They wanted pure romance. The next time I submitted to them, they sent me a contract. That was eleven years ago and I have been with them ever since. “Island Detour” is my tenth published book.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? “The Light We Lost” by Jill Santopolo, “Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting” by Clare Pooley, and “The Diamond Eye” by Kate Quinn.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m trying to finalize the fourth and final book of the Sworn Sisters Series, called “Sworn to Collide.” This book has been very difficult to write because the heroine is married and she and her husband separate. It’s not my usual romance. So I’m now rewriting it as a “Then” and “Now” book so the romance is strong in the “Then” parts.

 Maria brought an excerpt for us:  

     “People usually wear bathing suits when they go out on the water,” he growled, knowing the only purpose of his statement was to attack her. “Although, maybe you don’t own one. Swimming may be too outdoorsy for you.”

     Even that didn’t give rise to a comment from her. She just pulled her knees closer to her chest and stared ahead. But he needed a fight. And even though Andy should have been his target, he had Sophie sitting in his boat.

     “You must have really snowed Andy for him to give you a job here. Unless there’s another motive.” Come on. Tell me.

     “You make it sound so sinister. I am not here for any disingenuous reason, as you seem to think.” Her words steamed through gritted teeth.

     She wasn’t going to admit it. He’d just have to hit her over the head with it, then. “Has Andy talked to you about bringing your teaching academy down here? Is that why you came?”

     “What?” Her eyes flew open wide, along with her mouth. “What are you talking about?” Genuine shock emerged at his accusation.

     He was either totally off base or witnessing a superb actress at work.

     She sat up straighter. “I’m here because I wanted to take a break. Andy was nice enough to give me a job for the semester. Why would he want me to bring my teaching academy down here?”

     Irritation put more color in her cheeks, and she seemed to be breathing easier. He guessed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was uncalled for. Too bad.

To learn more about Maria Imbalzano and the stories she creates, go to:

Website:  http://www.mariaimbalzano.com

https://www.facebook.com/mariaimbalzanoauthor

http://www.twitter.com/mariaimbalzano @mariaimbalzano

https://www.instagram.com/mariaimbalzano_author

 

To purchase Island Detour, go to: 

https://books2read.com/u/4D20y7

 

Monday, February 26, 2024

Dead Girl by Kerrie Faye

Her coffin will have to wait.

      Dying has its perks…mostly. Bullied teen Ember ONeill goes from the weird girl to the tyrant of her school when she is resurrected after a deadly prank. Now secretly supernatural, she dethrones the school drama queen and snags the hot new guy, but her reign is at risk when the Order, a heretical sect, sends an assassin to eliminate her.

     Ember must expose her powers, potentially losing all she has gained, in order to save herself and her friends as her killer closes in.

 Wild Women Authors is delighted to feature debut author Kerrie Faye who celebrates TODAY’S release of Dead Girl, a contemporary YA paranormal out of the Wild Rose Press. With Kerrie is high school student Ember O’Neill who will go first.

Good morning, Ember. Thanks for joining us. Let’s start with you telling us a bit about yourself. Well, to begin, if I had my way, I’d never set foot in Wilson County High School again. But that was before I survived a stupid prank that involved a paint gun, a swimming pool and me drowning. Now, I can’t to prove all my bullies wrong. I’m not weird. I’m supernatural.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with high school or do something different? If I’d known my true heritage, I would have done everything differently. I would have never let Wayne taunt me. And I most certainly would have never cowered to the mean girls at my school.

What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear is that I won’t be able to stop the Order before someone else gets hurt because of me.

Who is your favorite fictional character? She-Ra. Me and my BFF, Erick, grew up loving He-Man and She-Ra. We pretended to be them, brandishing our pretend swords on the playground.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My dad…before he died…always told me to be brave, virtus vincit—courage conquers. I am still trying to do that.

Thanks for this, Ember. We wish you and Erick the best of luck in your futures. Virtus Vincit!

Now, we switch to Kerrie Faye. Our first question is which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? So many! It feels unfair to choose. I adore Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? I am a sucker for a good conspiracy theory. Over the years, I think I have watched every episode of Ancient Aliens. One recurring theme over the seasons is that what history portrays as aliens could, in fact, be angels. Skeletal remains suggest giants lived on earth in ancient times. Combining that with accounts from the Book of Enoch that were omitted from the Bible, my fantasy brain enjoyed playing with “what ifs.”

Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them; what influenced you to submit to them; how is the submission process; what is the turn-around time from date of query to date of release? Dead Girl found a home with The Wild Rose Press, and I couldn’t be happier! Submitting queries to literary agents is a long and arduous process. And since the pandemic with fewer agents, the wait time for query responses is taking six months or more. A small independent publisher seemed the best route for my story, anyway. I am pleased that the turnaround was just over a year.

What are you reading right now? Sinner’s Isle by Angela Montoya.

What's next for you? Love this question! I am revising Dead Girl Book Two! I am so excited about Ember’s journey and quest to get answers about her heritage. I think readers will be especially interested to learn that New Orleans is a haven for her kind, but not all are friendly. Ember has some serious navigating of allies and enemies to find the truth about her origins.

Here's an Excerpt from Dead Girl:

“I love that.” He reached up and pulled a piece of hair away from her cheek. “I love your innocence. I love your hair. And those eyes...don’t get me started.” He ran his thumb gently across her bottom lip. “And these, right here.” His voice dipped low. His tongue darted across his lips as he looked into her eyes.

“Can I kiss you, Ember O’Neill?”

Finally. Butterflies took flight in her stomach. Slowly, she nodded her head. She had been waiting for this moment. Ever since she let her guard down and began trusting him, she had imagined what it would be like to kiss his perfect lips.

Logan reached up, placing one hand under her hair at the base of her neck. Electricity buzzed throughout her body. With his other hand, he cupped her cheek, pulling her closer.

She held her breath as his lips parted and pressed against hers with the lightest touch. In an instant, their bodies became one. The world melted away. It was just Ember and Logan on the dance floor. Her greatest wish for the night was coming true. She was kissing Logan.

Too soon, he pulled away. Eyes sparkling in the disco light, his thumb dragged across her bottom lip. She wondered if he could feel her racing pulse.

The kiss was sweet. Perfect. Ember smiled, remembering to breathe.

Both dimples asserted themselves as his lips shifted into a devilish grin. “You taste better than I imagined.”

 To purchase Dead Girl, go to: 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dead-girl-kerrie-faye/1144483422?ean=9781509252480

 https://a.co/d/1PXfain

 

To learn more about Kerrie Faye and the stories she creates, go to:

https://kerriefayebooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/kerriefayeherron/

https://www.instagram.com/kerriefayebooks

https://www.tiktok.com/@kerriefaye

https://twitter.com/kerriefayebooks

 

 

  

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Home to Solace Lake

        Sometimes going home is the hardest thing to do.

 Wild Women Authors focus on Home to Solace Lake by Jana Richards

 

After Jerry Fields buried his mother twenty-two years ago, he cut all ties to the small town in Minnesota where he grew up. He swore he’d never return. But when his biological father, a man who never acknowledged him, leaves Jerry his entire estate, curiosity has him returning to Minnewasta. Why did Earl Rogers will him everything he owned when during his lifetime he didn’t give Jerry a minute of his time?

Denise Rogers wants to save the business that her deceased husband loved so much. But when her father-in-law Earl leaves all his property to his illegitimate son, saving the business gets much more complicated. Denise is determined to buy the property from Jerry Fields to keep it from being demolished and turned into condos. She wants to continue to run the business as a marine repair shop, knowing it's what her husband would have wanted. But events throw her plans into disarray, and she has to give up on her dream. Until Jerry offers to work with her over the summer to help her buy the property.

Jerry can’t stomach the idea of putting his half-brother’s widow out of a job and a home, so he decides to stay in Minnewasta to help her. At the end of the summer, Denise will purchase the property from him, and they’ll go their separate ways. But as they work together, their feelings for each other deepen into love, and they uncover long-held secrets that force Jerry to question everything he thought he knew about his parents. Can Jerry overcome past hurts and fears for a chance at love?

 

Excerpt: 

Denise stared at him. “Are you saying you didn’t see Luke growing up?”

He found it painful to confess his shortcomings, especially to Denise. “Not as much as I would have liked. But I sent money to Abby every month, the whole time Luke was growing up. I made sure my son was well provided for.”

“It’s not the same as being there.”

“When Abby told me she was pregnant, I offered to marry her, but she refused me. I tried to do the right thing.” Abby had been right, of course. They didn’t love each other. Hell, they’d barely known each other at that point. A marriage wouldn’t have worked. But even so, his excuse sounded lame.

Denise’s face darkened with her frown. “If I had a child, nothing would keep me away from him. Nothing.”

The vehemence, and the accusation in her voice, angered him. “You don’t know anything about my son or my life.”

She lifted her chin. “I know enough to know you abandoned Luke the same way Earl abandoned you. After everything you’ve told me about how hurt you were by his treatment, how could you do the same thing to your son?”

Her words stung him to the core. He was nothing like Earl. Nothing. Hadn’t he tried to do the right thing by Abby and by Luke? His son never went without the way he had. Abby never had to work two jobs like his mother had.

He got up from the table. “I need to go. Thank you for dinner.”

He hurried out of her apartment and crossed the hall to his own. When the door was safely closed, he leaned against it and closed his eyes.

No matter what he told himself about providing for Luke, Jerry couldn’t deny he’d never been a real father to his son. And that made him no different than Earl.

 

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Monday, February 19, 2024

Christmas at Solace Lake

 It’s Christmas time at Solace Lake Lodge, but a series of thefts threatens everyone’s holiday spirit.

 Wild Women Authors focus on Christmas at Solace Lake, book 4 of the Solace Lake series written by Jana Richards, released in October 2023.

An emergency brings Drew Barnes to Solace Lake Lodge, an inn deep in the Minnesota woods owned by his aunt and uncle. He’s sure desperation is the only reason they’d allow him to fill in as their bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job. Soon after he arrives, Drew is disheartened to discover thefts and financial irregularities. The last thing he wants is to be put in the middle of another crime.

Sous chef Celeste Bishop has made a good life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she’s worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. After being unfairly fired, this was the only job she could get, and she’s grateful her gamble on the lodge paid off. The only sticking point is the isolation since she never learned to drive. How can she show her daughter independence when she’s always relying on others?

Drew sees Celeste’s frustration and offers to teach her to drive. A powerful attraction ignites between them, and soon deeper, stronger emotions blossom. Drew is all in, but Celeste resists her feelings. She’s nine years older than Drew. An interracial relationship didn’t work for her parents. And loving Drew feels like a betrayal of her deceased husband.

As Christmas approaches, the thefts escalate. Can Drew stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own? And can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily ever after this Christmas?

 Find Christmas at Solace Lake at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Solace-Lake-Love-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CH5DTYNS