Thursday, December 27, 2018

Tough Prospect: a Buffalo Steampunk Adventure


She’s his one weakness…can he buy her love?

          Mitch Carter's a hard man. He's clawed his way up from Buffalo's gutter through a combination of ruthlessness and stark loyalty to become the King of Prospect Avenue. But when he sees lovely Tessa Verdun, a crack appears in his tough veneer. He wants her for his wife even if making it happen requires coercion, dirty dealing, and a touch of blackmail.
          Mitch is the last man Tessa would choose to wed, but he's forced her into marriage, even though she's ready to give her heart to another man. Now he tries to win her with lavish gifts and watches her with veiled passion in his eyes. But when everyone else turns against Tessa, it's Mitch who's there offering strength. And when vying factions in the city place Tessa in danger, it's Mitch for whom she longs, though loving such a man is certainly a tough prospect.

Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back author Laura Strickland and the latest addition to her very popular Buffalo Steampunk Adventure series: Tough Prospect, a current release out of the Wild Rose Press. First up is Mitch Carter.
Where are you from? I’m from the gutter, quite literally—found on a street here in Buffalo as an infant, and taken to Carter’s orphanage. Probably dropped by a whore, don’t you think? Damned if I know.
Tell us a bit about Tough Prospect. Well, you know I’m the kind of man people talk about in whispers, because they’re half afraid to say my name out loud. I take that as a mark of respect. It might be a backwards kind of respect, but that’s better than none. I dragged myself up out of the gutter, and made good. Now they call me the King of Prospect Avenue, because I own most the street. People say I’m a tough prospect. They even say I don’t have a heart. I guess Tessa Verdun proved that wrong.
What did you think the first time you saw Tessa? I thought, Damn, she’s beautiful. I want her.
What was your second thought? I’m gonna have her.
No fuss, no muss. Was it love at first sight? Hell, I don’t even know what that means. Love didn’t come into it between me and Tessa, at least not at the beginning. I know I fell for her a lot quicker than she fell for me. So no, I guess I’d have to say I don’t believe in love at first sight. Lust, yeah.
What do you like most about her? She’s got class, something I never really acquired, for all my money.
How would you describe her? She’s smart, and brave enough to stand up to me. She’s a lot stronger than she thinks she is.
How would Tessa describe you? As a right bastard, I expect.
What made you choose property ownership as a career? I didn’t really choose it, did I? I worked hard at crap jobs, and when I saw an opportunity to invest and maybe make good on something, I went for it. Buying one house and renting it out led to having the money to buy up another. I had to make money, because I needed to get the boys who were in Carter’s orphanage with me out of there. I wouldn’t leave a mean dog in that place.
What is your biggest fear? I don’t like the dark. Nobody who was shut into a dark hole as a kid, for punishment, would.
How do you relax? Ha, what’s that?
Who is your favorite fictional character? I don’t read well enough to enjoy books.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?Don’t take you eyes off your enemy, or he might stab you in the back.

Mitch, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. We'd like to chat with Laura.  
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I absolutely love the books of Terry Pratchett. They are infinitely original and wonderfully off-beat.
What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? It’s funny you should ask. This story was actually inspired by a song, written and performed by one of my favorite artists, Richard Thompson. The song’s called “Cooksferry Queen”, and I dedicated Tough Prospect to Mr. Thompson, in tribute.
Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? Tough Prospect is my twenty-fifth book with The Wild Rose Press! They have been immensely supportive of my tendency to genre-hop, and my editor in particular encourages all my crazy book ideas. I happened to find them by chance, online, and what a fortunate day that was for me!
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I’m trying to find time to read fellow Wild Rose Press author Penny Burwell Ewing’s Jingle Bells and Krampus Spells. It looks great.
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? My next book due up is the third and final book in my Hearts of Caledonia Trilogy, called Noble and Blessed. Not sure when it will be out. I’m hoping for early in the new year.
Laura brought along an excerpt from Tough Prospect for us:
          “No, Tessa.” He sat up straight and clasped his hands together. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this, have it out.”
          “Have what out?”
          “Don’t play dumb, you’re not dumb. I’m talking about how you act toward me, how you feel toward me.”
          She gave a hard laugh. “I should think that would be obvious.”
          Yeah, it was. Real obvious. But it couldn’t go on much longer before Mitch snapped. He said, trying to sound patient, “We’ve been married two weeks. You’re gonna have to reconcile yourself to it.”
          “Am I?”
          “Well yeah. We live in the same house. We should be sharing a bed. What’s it going to take?”
          Tessa bared her teeth in a grimace. Tears filled her eyes. “It will never happen.”
          “What?”
          “The deal was I should marry you. Only that.”
          For an instant, Mitch felt totally helpless, a condition he didn’t tolerate well. Indeed, he’d worked hard since his days back in the orphanage to guarantee he’d never feel that way again. And now here came this woman with her hands on his heartstrings, hating him.   
          “But…” he began.
          She leaned forward in her chair and lowered her voice even though no one else in the house could hear. “I know what you are, Mitch Carter. A tough. A brute, a lowlife. You may have blackmailed me into marriage. That doesn’t mean I’m ever going to like it.”

To purchase Tough Prospect, go to:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Prospect-Steampunk-Adventure-Adventures-ebook/dp/B07JKKPD9J/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542557003&sr=8-1&keywords=tough+prospect%3A+a+buffalo+steampunk+adventure
The Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6350-tough-prospect-a-buffalo-steampunk-adventure.html
To learn more about Laura Strickland and the books she creates, to to:
Website: www.laurastricklandbooks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000002632317

Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Strickland/e/B001KHSACW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1







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Thursday, December 20, 2018

Feature: Flotsam and Jetsam: The Amelia Island Affair

Who's littering the park with corpses?

          State Park Rangers Simon Ribault and Ellie Ironstone are used to dealing with messy campers and ravaging raccoons, but when three bodies wash up on the beach, they mobilize all their powers of deduction. Who are they and how did they get to the shore of Amelia Island? Are they connected to the secretive League of the Green Cross? Or linked to a mysterious Jamaican drug ring?
          Ellie, new to Amelia Island, must penetrate a close-knit community if she wants to find answers to the mystery, all while deciding between two rivals for her affection: Thad, the handsome local idol, and Simon, the clever, quirky bookworm.
          Simon, for his part, will have to call on his not-so-well-honed romantic prowess to lure Ellie away from Thad and at the same time use his wide-ranging research skills to solve the case.

Wild Women Authors welcomes author M. S. Spencer and Georgia Petrie from Ms. Spencer's current release out of The Wild Rose Press: Flotsam and Jetsam: The Amelia Island Affair. First up is Georgia.
Where are you from? Born and bred in Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida. It’s the southernmost of the Atlantic Sea Islands, and the only one in Florida. It’s a small community—everybody knows everybody else, and their pickup truck, and their dog.
Tell us a bit about Flotsam & Jetsam: The Amelia Island Affair. The story opens without me, when the hero Simon and the heroine Ellie, rangers at the Fort Clinch state Park, come upon a dead body on the shore of the river, under the walls of the fort. In short order two more corpses are found. They must first identify them, and then how, when, and why they ended up dead within a couple of miles of each other. At the same time Simon investigates their relation, if any, to a mysterious group called the League of the Green Cross, made up of city fathers and other leading citizens, that met in the fort the night of the murders.
          Simon—the poor sap—is in love with Ellie, but she has a crush on Thad, a handsome idiot. Only his best friend, the lovely Georgia (c’est moi, I blush to disclose) can convince him that Ellie loves him. I have to work my tail off, too, because Simon is a nitwit with his head in the clouds.
What did you think the first time you saw Simon? We met in kindergarten. He claims I stole his swing from him. All I know is he socked me. Socked me! A girl! 
What was your second thought? That he was a silly ass, which I continue to think to this day. Honestly? He’s been my best friend ever since.
Did you feel it was love at first sight? See above. Oh, and perhaps the excerpt will explain our relationship.
What do you like most about Simon? He has the most beautiful hazel eyes in the world. Also, he knows a lot of stuff. He can be endearingly vague and appropriately sharp at the same time.
How would you describe him? You apparently had spaced out while I was talking, so I’ll repeat. He has lovely hazel eyes. His rich brown hair is usually tousled and his nose is usually red from rubbing it against the pages of a book (he refuses to accept that he’s a bit myopic). He’s tall and lanky and really sweet. Oh, and he loves his mother (always a good sign).
How would he describe you? If I bribed him, he’d say I’m gorgeous. My dad (we call him Santa because he plays one at the hardware store) once said I would put Christie Brinkley to shame. Lessee, details—waist-length ebony hair and eyes this unusual shade of malachite green, which believe me clashes with way too many colors. Long, Tina Turner legs…and a mind like a steel trap. Also, I eat like a horse, which makes up for Mr. Wimpy, who eats nothing but plain hamburgers.
What made you choose law as a career? Considering Simon’s penchant for trouble, I knew I’d have to represent him in court one of these days. Of course, now that I’ve decided to become a prosecutor I can finally make him pay for running that red light.
What is your biggest fear? That Simon won’t get on the stick and ask Ellie (the heroine) out.
How do you relax? Well, I love to make lists. I’m known for it. In fact, when poor benighted Simon and his Girl Friday Ellie are stumped for answers to the murders, I whip out my trusty pen and notebook and clear everything up for them. (You might not want to tell Simon I put it quite that way.)
Who is your favorite fictional character? Probably Atticus Finch, hero of To Kill a Mockingbird.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Always carry a crowbar when you go out for pizza. Trust me.

Thank you, Georgia, for taking time out of your clearly busy schedule to speak with us. Now it's time to chat with your creator, M. S. Spencer.
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? When I was young I devoured English literature. I loved its formal, precise style. Then I discovered Anne Rice (her first books) and drowned myself in her lush, exotic, complex images. Some quotes from movies (most Bogart ones) have stuck with me: “Was you ever stung by a dead bee?” or “You do know how to whistle, don’t you? Just put your lips together and blow.” Or Katharine Hepburn’s exquisitely grand “Nevertheless” in response to the German captain in The African Queen.
What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? A couple of years ago I attended the Amelia Island Book Festival and explored the island. It was so chock full of crazy history and characters that I had to write a story about it.
Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? My publisher Secret Cravings unfortunately had to close, and Rhonda Penders at Wild Rose said she’d be willing to take a look at my body of work. Thankfully, she liked them and I now have seven books out with them, and one on the way. They are fabulous to work with.
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I enjoy thrillers by James Rollins—ones with exotic settings and adventures based on historical events, and cozy mysteries.
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? Fabulous news! Flotsam & Jetsam is already ON the shelves. 
Released December 17, you can get it either as ebook or print at:
Wild Rose Press: https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6345-flotsam-and-jetsam-the-amelia-island-affair.html
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Flotsam-Jetsam-Amelia-Island-Affair-ebook/dp/B07JKTXYJC
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flotsam-and-jetsam-m-s-spencer/1129787048?ean=2940161601945
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/flotsam-and-jetsam/id1439717297?mt=11
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/flotsam-and-jetsam-the-amelia-island-affair
Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/flotsam-and-jetsam-the-amelia/9781509223350-item.html
It will also be available at Walmart.
Here's an excerpt from Flotsam and Jetsam: The Amelia Island Affair:
Note from the author: In this excerpt, Georgia and Simon tell the tale of their aborted attempt at romance.

Ellie said, “I’m beginning to see a pattern. So you two never tried to…er…”
“Let the relationship ripen into romance?” Georgia smirked at Simon. “Once. You’d better tell it, Simon.”
“Not me.”
Georgia emitted a theatrical sigh. “It was in high school, our senior year. We decided that if there was anything there, we’d better find out before we both left for college. We went to a concert—”
“A movie.”
“That’s right. You wanted to see The Gangs of New York so we settled on Almost Famous.”
“Then we drove to the local lovers’ lane.”
“Actually, to Egan’s Creek playground. Looks out over the swamp.”
“Marsh.” Simon beetled his brows at Georgia. “Anyway, we sat there discussing tort reform and sustainable fisheries until Georgia decided the time of reckoning was upon us.”
“Go on.” Ellie’s lips were pressed tightly together, but Simon noticed her eyes danced.
Georgia took over. “So…the great Lothario makes his move. He yawns, then slowly raises an arm, the idea apparently being to let it fall with studied insouciance across my shoulders. Unfortunately, his sleeve catches on the gear shift. Feigning calm—his hands are shaking so much the whole car rocks—he extricates himself. Then, ignoring my helpless titter, he leans toward me. I attempt to reciprocate, but my foot gets stuck on this disgusting piece of chewing gum.” She directed a pointed look at Simon. “I don’t know why you kept that car in such gross condition.”
“I didn’t. That car was as pristine then as it is today.”
Ellie looked at Santa. “The Mustang?”
Simon let just a wee bit of pride seep out. “The very one. I bought it from the pharmacist—”
“Mr. Eckart.”
“Yes, and stop interrupting. I bought it with money I made working at the ER diner summers.”
“ER diner? I don’t know that one.”
Santa leaned in. “ER for Emergency Room. It’s a block from the hospital, so most of its regular customers are doctors and recovering patients.” He chuckled. “They’ll eat anything. Its real name is Duffy’s.”
Simon waited a minute in the vain hope of bullying them into silence before resuming in a slightly louder voice. “As I have explained to Ellie—and regret to see I am forced to reiterate—my car is a vintage 1966 convertible Mustang GT, fully restored. The model recently sold on EBay for…er…a lot of money.”
Georgia, undaunted, disagreed. “He kept the outside pristine; the inside was packed floor to ceiling with books and magazines. I had to sit on top of a pile of old Popular Mechanics issues.”
“Journals in mint condition, mind you—I don’t dog ear my books, let alone my journals, like some people do. And I would remind you that the gum was yours.” He turned to Ellie. “At the last minute, it occurred to her that having a gob of Doublemint stuffed in her cheek while making out might dampen the mood. She lobbed it onto the floor when she thought I wasn’t looking.”
“I dropped it on a piece of tissue you’d left there. At any rate, I couldn’t get close enough to Simon’s lips, and we eventually gave up.”
“Suffice it to say, it was a fiasco.”
“And we both realized it was not to be. It came as such a relief.”

A bit about our feature author:
Although M. S. Spencer has traveled in five continents, she spent the last thirty years in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional assistant, speechwriter, and non-profit director. She has two grown children and a perfect granddaughter. Ms. Spencer has published twelve mystery/romantic suspense novels, and currently divides her time between Florida and Maine.

To learn more about M. S. Spencer and the stories she creates, go to:

Blog: https://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencerromance
Twitter: www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msspencerauthor/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MSSpencerauthor
Linked in: www.linkedin.com/in/msspencerauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-s-spencer
https://www.bookbub.com/m-s-spencer


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Sunday, December 16, 2018

Wild Women Focus: His Magic Touch

     The night before Jared Dupre's wedding, a specter warns him the demonic witch, Adam Montief, has kidnapped his brother in a centuries-old vendetta unknown to Jared. A powerful witch himself, Jared tracks Adam from New Orleans to a remote island off the coast of Connecticut where he's given no choice. He must rescue his brother and break his engagement to Kendra O'Connell, or they both die.
     After complying, Jared engages in a sword fight and believes he has vanquished his foe, but when he returns to New Orleans, he finds evil still threatens all he loves. Kendra, not knowing why Jared broke their engagement, devastated, finds solace in another's arms. With help from an ancestor's spirit, can Jared defeat the dark magic descending over the Big Easy while winning back the woman he loves?
Wild Women Authors is pleased to focus on His Magic Touch a December 5th release out of The Wild Rose Press, written by Debby Grahl
Here's an excerpt:
In the stifling heat, Angelique Montief flicked her wrist and set the bamboo ceiling fan spinning. Kneeling on a woven mat with sweat coating her body, she lifted a small wooden brass-bound casket from the bottom of a large trunk, inserted a gold key, and opened the lid. Inside two objects lay wrapped in thick cloth. She carefully unwrapped the smaller bundle to reveal a pentagonal mirror, a gift handed down to her by her grandmother, its ancient oak frame carved with tiny pentacles.
She glanced over her shoulder at her locked bedroom door, then stared into the mirror and whispered, “Show him to me.” When the glass remained blank, fear clutched at her chest. Again, she said the words, and the image of a plantation house engulfed in flames appeared. “No, please, he can’t be dead. ”
Tears blurred her vision. The fiery image changed to reveal a human form lying beneath flowering bougainvillea. “Show me his face.”
She saw his indigo blue eyes blink open.
“I’m coming, my love.”
She rewrapped the mirror and placed it into the smaller casket among cloth bags of herbs and potion-filled vials. Relocking the lid, she hung the key on a chain around her neck, dropped a jeweled dagger into her pocket, and tucked the casket under her arm.
Augustus had locked her in, placing what he thought would be an impenetrable shield across both doors. Her husband’s biggest mistake was underestimating her.

To purchase His Magic Touch, go to:
 www.thewildrosepress.com 

About our focus author:

          Debby Grahl lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband, David. Besides writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach and a glass of wine at sunset. Her favorite places to visit are New Orleans, New York City, Captiva Island in Florida, the Cotswolds of England, and her home state of Michigan. She is a history buff who also enjoys reading murder mysteries, time travel, and, of course, romance. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books.
          Her first published book, The Silver Crescent, won the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers’ Choice award. Her second book, Rue Toulouse, a contemporary romance set in New Orleans, was a finalist in the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award and was selected as a May, 2016, ‘local read’ by Hilton Head Monthly.
           Decorated to Death is a holiday mystery cozy. She also has stories in three anthologies, The Haunted West, Never Fear/Christmas Terrors; and Ebb and Flow from the local Island Writers’ Network.
          Debby was featured in the January, 2016, Hilton Head Monthly article ‘Intriguing People of the Lowcountry’. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Florida Romance Writers, and First Coast Romance Writers.

Amazon Author Page

author website

author Facebook



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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Featuring: Through the Red Door and Sadira Stone


Letting him inside could be her salvation…or her undoing.

          Clara Martelli clings to Book Nirvana, the Oregon bookshop she and her late husband Jared built together. When rising rents and corporate competition threaten its survival, her best hope is their extensive erotica collection, locked behind a red door. In dreams and signs, her dead husband tells her it's time to open that door and move on. When a dark and handsome stranger's powerful magnetism jolts her back to life and he wants a look at the treasures of that secret room, she can't help but want to show him more.
          Professor Nick Papadopoulos is looking for historical erotica. Book Nirvana's collection surpasses his wildest dreams, and so does its lovely owner. A widower, he understands Clara's battle with guilt, but their searing chemistry is too strong to resist. Besides, he will only be in town for two weeks, not long enough for her to see beyond the scandal that haunts his past.

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature author Sadira Stone and Clara Martelli from Through the Red Door, a current release from The Wild Rose Press, Scarlet Rose line. First up is Clara.

Where are you from? I’ve lived in Eugene, Oregon ever since I came to the University of Oregon as a freshman. It’s a fun, funky college town with a lively arts scene—a great place for my bookshop, Book Nirvana.

 Tell us a bit about Through the Red Door. It is the story of a difficult passage in my life. A year after my husband Jared was killed by a distracted diver, our bookshop was teetering on the brink of financial collapse. The shop was my emotional anchor. The only advantage I had over the corporate competition was the extensive erotica collection—books of historical artwork and literature kept behind a locked red door. The special collection was Jared’s baby, and I just couldn’t force myself to go back there. Too many memories, too sharp a reminder of what I’d lost. My few remaining friends worried about my isolation and urged me to wade back into the dating pool. The very idea felt like a betrayal of Jared. Then, one day, I met two wonderful guys, Nick and Doug.

 What did you think the first time you saw both men? When Nick came into my shop, the immediate zing of attraction I felt both thrilled and scared me. He felt it too—there was no missing the flash in his dark eyes. I remember thinking I’m in trouble. Meeting Doug was different. That bashful, crooked smile of his is so disarming. It felt as if we’d known each other for a long time.

What was your second thought? Finding out that Nick’s a widower helped me to relax around him because he understood what I was going through. With Doug—well, I was surprised to find so much intensity behind his easygoing exterior.

 Did you feel it was love at first sight--with either man? I don’t believe in love at first sight. Having known real love with Jared, I know there’s so much more to love than chemistry. Still, if that’s spark’s not there—well, you need some kind of flame to light a fire. Nick was like a flamethrower—bright and hot and a bit scary. Doug was more like those waterproof matches you take camping: dependable, comforting. Nick is so determined, so passionate. Choosing between them was the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make.

 How would you describe these two different men? Nick is fiery, like the Mediterranean sun. He’s Greek, you know, and so gorgeous and seductive. He’s—well, dazzling is the word I’d use. Doug’s taller, leaner, quieter, a long-distance runner with a sexy shaved head and an adorable shy smile. I guess the word that best describes him is comforting.

 How would they describe you? Skittish. Vulnerable. Guarded. But honest. I was straight with them both from the start: I wasn’t looking for love, just taking baby steps back into the world of the living. I didn’t expect either encounter to result in more than harmless flirtation. Man, was I surprised.

 What made you choose owning and running a bookshop for a career? I loved my literature classes in college, so when the bookshop came up for sale, Jared didn’t have to work hard to persuade me.

 What is your biggest fear? Losing the shop.

 How do you relax? By reading, of course. I also enjoy a long, slow run along the Willamette River.

 Who’s your favorite fictional character? Not very original, but I still swoon over Mr. Darcy.

 What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here, we might as well dance.

 We thank you for taking time out of your schedule to speak with us, Clara. Now we have a few questions for Sadira. 
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I love classic Rom-Com movies like French Kiss and Pretty Woman. I read lots of contemporary and historical romance, plus not-too-gory mysteries and romantic suspense. I there’s a spunky, self-directed heroine, some humor, and some steamy smooching, I’m in.

 What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Ever since I was a wee lass, I dreamed of own a bookshop. Add to that my fascination with historical erotic art and literature, and you’ve got the Book Nirvana series. As an older writer, I enjoyed the chance to feature an older couple—though at 39 and 41, Clara and Nick are hardly seniors. Late-in-life love, second chances at happiness, and reinvention are themes that pop up in my stories again and again. As pioneering female writer George Eliot said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” Nick and Clara’s sizzling chemistry proves that love can burn just as hot past that first flush of youth.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? After a Twitter pitch event led to an offer from a small publisher, my RWA chapter-mate Marie Tuhart, who also publishes with The Wild Rose Press, suggested I submit to them as well, since she’d had good experiences with TWRP. I’m very happy with the professionalism and the support I’ve received from the TWRP team.

What books currently rest on your TBR pile? Would you believe I haven’t yet read the Outlander series? My daughter gave me a copy of Book One. I’ve just started Dearly Beloved by Peggy Jaeger, another TWRP author. It’s a cute Rom-Com whose heroine is a wedding planner.

Lastly, what’s up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’ve submitted Book Two in the Book Nirvana series to my publisher. I can’t say much about that one without spoiling Book One, but I adore the heroine, a nee employee at Book Nirvana. She’s an aspiring artist whose family and teachers have squashed her dreams—so far. In Eugene, she finds inspiration, the support of her feisty 90-year-old great aunt Maxie, and new love, of course. And she has her own adventures behind the red door. Book Three features Margot, Clara’s young shop assistant.

Sadira brought a short excerpt for us:
Probably just one of those guys who flirt with everyone. Thinking of him that way made it easier to face the prospect of seeing him again when he came for the rest of the books on his list. She knew in her bones she was not ready for a— what, a fling? A flirtation? A hot tumble among the naughty books?

Her body’s fevered response to Nick felt like a betrayal to Jared. But the thought of running her hands along Nick’s tawny skin warmed her in places that had been too cold for too long.


 To purchase Through The Red Door, go to:





A bit about Sadira Stone:

Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. But it wasn’t until her 50s that she tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books.

Visit Sadira at:






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Monday, December 10, 2018

Wild Women Feature: Tena Stetler's A Magic Redemption


     Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target.  Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.
     Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub.  He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past.  He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.

Wild Women Authors welcomes author Tena Stetler as she celebrates the release of A Magic Redemption, Book five in her A Demon's Witch Series. With Tena is Synn the heroine of this unique story. As usual, we'll begin with Synn.
Where are you from? Colorado Mountains and kinda all over I guess you’d say.
Did you have a happy childhood? Until age twelve when I was kidnapped and my family murdered.
Where do you live now and what do you do for a living? Now I live in Ireland. After escaping from the demon Baltizar, I offered information to the Demon Overlord of the Western Hemisphere, he was trying to help man and magic kind, in exchange for protection and freedom, basically a fresh start. But even with magic it not as easy as you’d think. I’m working as a waitress in Shaughnessy’s Pub. It belongs to Gavin Shaughnessy’s family. He and I are…Well let’s call it working things out. And I have my own cottage I share with the Storm, a pup I rescued.
Is there something you'd rather be doing? No. It’s a pretty decent job, the customers are great, Shaughnessys are wonderful, even after the incident. Except Brandy, and that’s a long story.
What's going on in your life right now? I’m just living day to day, hoping my past doesn’t rear it’s ugly head. But it seems there may be a showdown and I don’t want any of my new friends or the Shaughnessys to get caught in the crossfire. I don’t mean to make my life sound all doom and gloom. I did have a wonderful time shopping, having our nails done and lunching with my new friends Bridget, Katie, Colleen and Gale. At Bridget’s insistence I purchase a couple matching sets of lingerie. That was a first. In fact I’ve had a lot of firsts recently. Then we had a girls night in, watching movies, ragged on guys, drank wine, ate junk food. What fun. So you can see why I worry about my new friends.
Is there someone special in your life? Sort of. Once things get settled, and I’m sure it’s safe, Gavin and I will probably give it another chance.
How did you meet? While I was under the influence of Baltizar, I was ordered to terminate Brandy Shaughnessy, Gavin’s sister, and Stefen Talltree, Brandy’s boyfriend, a vampire. They were involved at the time and now engaged. The assignment failed and I was severely punished. I defected to the good side, so to speak, and met Gavin at his family’s pub while under the protection of Bruce, the Demon Overlord I told you about. I was helping out by washing dishes and we just clicked. Boy his sister, Brandy threw a conniption.
What's his family like? They are wonderful. His parents, Tim and Mary, own the pub, Hannah is his other sister, she’s married to Tristian Shandie, Bruce’s enforcer and right hand man-warlock. Brandy, well she’s understandably distressed with how things have turned out. But I had nowhere else to go and Ireland, the land of myths and legends, seemed the best place to try to start a new life.
What's keeping you two apart? My well-founded fears that Baltizar may escape the seventh level of Hell. He was sent after Bruce and his entourage won the battle for mankind in A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance and exact revenge on my new found friends and Gavin’s family. He has dangerous people willing to do his bidding in the mortal world.
What one thing could you do that would make you feel like the relationship will work out? It’s not really something I can go, but as I said before, I need to make sure no one will be harmed because of me or my past. Until then, I can’t let anyone get close.
Any last comments, Synn? I really have tried to turn my life around and I believe I am succeeding one day at a time.
A bit about our featured author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career.
With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking  or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. During the winter you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn.

A Magic Redemption was released on December 5, 2018 and is available from Amazon,   Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA,   itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Barnes and Nobel  Wal-mart.com
Book trailer for A Demon’s Witch Series: https://youtu.be/lELj0amtkk8
To learn more about Tena Stetler and the stories she creates, go to:
My Say What Blog - http://www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Tribber - http://triberr.com/TenaStetler





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Monday, December 3, 2018

Something We've Been Waiting For . . .

. . . . . Grace Adams has discovered the true reason she was brought to the gated town of Wellington. Now she wants to leave more than ever.  With the security level of the town raised to fortress level she is forced to marry the town's Police Chief. Hoping to gain the trust of the townsfolk, they pretend to make their marriage look real. It isn’t long before their game of deceit and reality blur together.
. . . . . When Police Chief Caleb Wellington returned to his hometown, he had his own reasons for increasing the town’s security. Now, he sees the town for what it is: a prison. His relationship with Grace opens feelings he hasn’t had in a while. The last thing he wants to do is say goodbye. But he made a promise to get her home and he is a man of his word.
Wild Women Authors is thrilled to welcome back Gina Leuci and Grace Adams Wellington from Captive Hearts, book two in Gina's A Well of Lies series. This one's a beauty and we can't wait to chat with Grace.
Where are you from? I was born and raised in Vermont. My parents own a restaurant so my life has pretty much revolved around food.
Tell us a bit about Captive Hearts, book two in A Well of Lies series. The book takes place immediately following the conclusion of Caged Souls. I am trapped in Wellington, a small, secluded town in Pennsylvania, run by the Wellington family. They brought several college students to their town under the guise of a summer intern program working on their farms, but in reality, their intent was to find spouses for their children. At the end of Caged Souls, Caleb agreed to help me leave Wellington, but… well, as you’ll discover, the members of the Town Council have other plans for us.
What did you think the first time you saw Caleb Wellington? The very first time? At the start of Caged Souls, I thought he was emotionless. A stone wall. What I thought of him at the start of Captive Hearts was completely different. Of course, I woke lying in his arms after a night seeking shelter from a storm. For a brief, wonderful moment, I thought he was my ally, my protector. That changed quickly.
As we've read the book, we couldn't agree more, and for several excellent reasons. What was your second thought? Caleb is a ball of contradictions. I always found him hard to read. He has a way of shutting down his emotions. When he does, it pushes my buttons and I tend to mouth off a bit.
Yes, you do that, often for good reason. Did you feel it was love at first sight? Hell, no. Caleb was the bane of my existence. He was in charge of keeping me in Wellington against my will. He is a rules follower and I like to push the limits. We butted heads a few times.
What do you like most about him? The more I got to know Caleb, the more I realized how wrong I was about him being a stone wall. Caleb is very protective about those he cares most about. As Police Chief he is extremely fair while also being strict. It’s a fine line, but one that I find quite admirable.
How would you describe him? He sees the world as black and white – rules must be followed. But then when I see him with his children – he has three, by the way – he is relaxed and fun. He is also Gorgeous – I mean, HELLO!!! All I have to do is look at all those muscles and I want to faint.
Agreed. Right down to the body to die for. How would he describe you? Besides being a pain in his ass? Yeah, that’s how he would describe me. I frustrate the hell out of him. But my antics also amuse him. He might not admit it out loud, but I’ve seen the smirks he tries to hide.
What made you choose business management for a career focus? I’m a college student between my junior and senior years. My focus, though, is Business Management, as I figure I’ll continue to run the back side of my parent’s restaurant. I’ve been helping out there for a while and have a knack for it. Plus, it keeps me away from the customers.
What is your biggest fear? At this time, stuck in Wellington, my biggest fear is never going back home to Vermont to see my parents and sister.
How do you relax? Baseball. I love the sport. At times though, it helps me get out my aggression. Also, baking. While my parents taught me how to cook, I have the most fun when I bake. A lot of nights, while my parents were next door working, I would bake desserts for my sister.
Who is your favorite fictional character? Scarlet O’Hara. Despite everything, she was a survivor. I like that.
We couldn't agree more with your choice. What is the best piece of advice you ever received? I’m not sure I have advice, exactly, but my sister has Downs Syndrome and she is the happiest, most loving person I know. She is basically the opposite of me, but she is also an inspiration. She doesn’t let anything get in her way.
Grace, this has been terrific. Thanks for taking time to chat with us. Now it's Gina's turn at bat.
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I love reading and not just any one genre. I love stories with happy endings, which is why I write romance. I also like a good mystery. I admire authors who write entire series, weaving characters throughout and setting a plot thread in one book that follows through several books later. I think it is quite the gift to be that organized.
What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Back when I was in college, I started a story called: Last Stop, Wellington, which never got completed. A couple years ago, I was watching the show Arrow with my son. Stephen Amell portrays the main character and something about his intensity made me bring that long-forgotten story back. Originally, Caleb was to be the antagonist, but after bringing my re-imagined plot ideas to my critique group, they convinced me Caleb had to be the hero. Obviously, they were right.
Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I am with The Wild Rose Press. I was almost finished writing my second novel, The Devil’s Invention, when my first publishing house closed. I’d always heard great things about The Wild Rose Press and they were the first ones I submitted to when the manuscript was done. They picked it up and it was published in 2015. Now, with Caged Souls and Captive Hearts, I have three books with TWRP. They are wonderful and extremely easy to work with.
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I have a couple of Kristan Higgins' books ready to read. Kristan’s books are kind of a “reward” book. But I know when I start, I need time to read, because I can’t put them down. Also, Midnight Girl from Nora LeDuc – a fellow NHRWA chapter member who writes Romantic Suspense. Peggy Jaeger, another TWRP author has three books coming out soon. To tell you the truth, there are too many to list.
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I am in the very beginning stages researching a new book idea. It centers on a child abduction cold case. I am not a fast writer, so, unfortunately, it will be a while before it will see the light of day.

Gina brought along an excerpt for us:

Caleb looked down at me. “Okay?”
No. I wanted to scream the word. I wanted to turn tail and run. “I feel hypocritical, celebrating a day of independence with a town that has taken away my rights.”
The distant look he gave wasn’t him closing off this time. No, I spotted the hint of pain in the blue flecks before his shoulders squared. “Think of it more of you taking the first step to secure your freedom again.”
I rubbed my clammy palms against my shorts. “Do you think it will work? Do you think we can fool them?”
His answer was to hold his hand out. “If we show a united front, yes.”
I took it. Not for the first time, I noticed the difference in size as his fingers folded between mine. Today, at this moment, our age difference seemed massive, but part of me knew it was due to his confidence. My own fears of my future had me wishing to be a little girl back in the safety of my parents’ home.
I needed to stop my self-pity. I was twenty, not a child. It was time to put on my big girl panties and show the world I’m a fighter. I squeezed his hand. “Let’s do this.”
Then we turned the corner and came face to face with Leland, A.J., Tim, and Phillip. My new-found determination came to a screeching halt.

CAGED SOULS and CAPTIVE HEARTS can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through my publisher: www.thewildrosepress.com
I can be reached via my website: www.ginaleuci.com


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