Monday, April 22, 2019

Two People, Each on Their Own Mission


          A botched rescue operation leaves Navy SEAL, Brandon Falcon, one chance to salvage his good name: rescue a medical missionary from rebel forces, drag her kicking and screaming through the jungle to the extraction point, and search for his best friend who went MIA during the last mission.
          Dr. Mira Phelps has one goal—discover a way to help children maimed by war. She sneaks into Honduras following a coup… She's desperate to find the Blue Spider Orchid, purported to have miraculous healing powers. The brawny SEAL who rescues her is ready to leave the country, quickly— she must convince him to help her find the life-saving orchid.
          Pitted against desperate men, unable to trust anyone, the red-hot passion sparking between Mira and Brandon threatens to bring them to an explosive end--before they discover a lasting love.

Wild Women Authors is delighted to welcome Evelyn Timidaiski as she celebrates the recent release of A Soldier's Honor, her debut romantic suspense, published by Wild Rose Press. With her is US Navy Seal, Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Falcon.
Where are you from, Brandon? I grew up on the Gulf Coast in a small town called, Pass Christian.
Tell us a bit about A Soldier’s Honor. A lot of it is classified but I can tell you a little without having to kill you. (just joking). My last mission went to sh—sorry, ma’am. My last mission was a disaster and I have one more opportunity to redeem my honor. I go to Honduras and rescue an American doctor and look for my friend, Rafà, who’s MIA from the failed mission.
Interesting. You lost a friend, now you've got to look for some doctor-do-gooder. That's a lot on one man's plate. What did you think the first time you saw Dr. Mira Phelps? Truthfully, I thought she was dead. She was battered and bruised—not breathing. She gave me quite a scare.
Uh huh. What was your second thought? She was beautiful. Blonde curls, blue eyes and delicate features. The word trouble came to mind. I saw at once that she would impact my life emotionally. So, was it love at first sight? Nah—more like lust. That jolt rocked me. Still, I recognized her as someone special. I fought it pretty hard. After all, she’s my mission.
What do you like most about Mira? She’s feisty. No matter what trouble we run into, she meets it head on. She also has issues with trust. We have that in common.
How would you describe her? Mira is a knight on a white charger. She fights for the underdog and doesn’t shy away from pain and hardship.
Sounds rather like a Seal, when he's on a mission. How would she describe you? That’s a tough one. She’s all about good—a healer. I’m a killer. We have many discussions about morality. She believes I’m good and is thankful men like me exist to balance the scales against people like the [Honduran] rebels [we're pitted against]. She thinks I’m honorable and salvageable. I have my doubts.
What made you choose Navy SEAL as a career? I followed in my father’s footsteps. He was the most honorable man I’ve known. I work hard to fill his shoes and at the same time leave footprints of my own.
What is your biggest fear? I’m afraid I won’t be able to save those I’m sent to rescue. Each one that dies tears at my soul. That fear lurks at the edges of my mind—always pushing me to do my best.
How do you relax? I don’t relax completely. When I do, I like to sail and fish. Growing up on the coast, the water is all I know.
Who is your favorite fictional character? Captain Nemo. All those neat gadgets, new frontiers and discoveries. Imagine the fun he had exploring the unknown.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My dad told me to trust that little voice in my head. It won’t lead you astray. I do listen, but mostly it’s my gut that leads me.
This has been real interesting, Brandon. Thank you for spending time with us. Now it's Evelyn's turn at the plate.
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Stargate and Pride and Prejudice. I love action and romance.
What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Like many of my stories, this novel came from a dream. I woke and immediately wrote down the premise for this book. The vivid scenes and descriptions came from the uneasiness the dream caused. I think it charged my writing with something intense and realistic.
Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? The Wild Rose Press is great. I heard about them through my writer friends. I queried them because of their reputation for quality and good stories.
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I’m eagerly awaiting the next book by Patricia Briggs. I read everything she writes.
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I have a SCI/Fantasy book called TIPONI which I recently submitted to TWRP. It’s a futuristic fantasy based on Native American legend. I’m also writing, A Love Rekindled, the second book in the Brandon’s Brigade series. It tells the story of the handsome Cajun, Jackson Favre.
Where can visitors to our blog learn more about you?
You can visit me at www.evelyntimidaiskiauthor.com/ or go to: https://www.facebook.com/emtimidaiski.author/ to

My book, A Soldier’s Honor will be available at amazon.com starting April 4, 2019.

Evelyn brought along an excerpt from A Soldier’s Honor.

     “How do you feel, ma’am?”
     His deep voice rumbled over her. She fought the urge to shrink back against the blanket in fear. “I’m fine.”
     This man was endangering his own life to help her, and all she could do was cringe when he got near her. Get a grip, Mira.
     “Let’s check your injuries and get you out of those wet clothes.”
     She wasn’t sure she liked the implied “we” in his statement, but her body shivered from the chill seeping into her bones. Pain lanced through her ribs when she reached for her boot laces. “Ouch.”
     “Here, let me.” He brushed her fingers aside. “Save your strength for later.”
     She stopped awkwardly, unsure how to say what she meant. “I’m sorry.”
     His eyes met and held her gaze. “No need to apologize, ma’am, you’ve been through a lot, and…you do realize, we’re not out of danger, yet?”



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Monday, April 1, 2019

Love In Season by Pamela Thibodeaux


Anytime is the perfect time for love.
Wild Women Authors focus this week on Love In Season, an anthology published by Pelican Book Group. Author Pamela S Thibodeaux brings together eight of her most beloved romance stories—one for each season plus four holidays that revolve around love and family, and includes two brand new stories!
Blurbs:
(Winter) Winter Madness: Sienna has survived what most succumb to - the death of a spouse and child and has maintained her faith despite her troubles. William has never met anyone who actually lived out what they say they believe. Is it true love between the faithful optimist and broody pessimist or simply winter madness?

(Valentine’s Day) Choices: Best-selling novelist and songwriter, Camie Rogers has penned numerous accounts of the secret love she holds in her heart. Country-Music Superstar Kip Allen has changed from the shy, humble boy, to the epitome of “star.” Can the two rediscover each other after one night of his Home is where the Heart is Tour?

(Spring) Cathy’s Angel: Single mom Cathy Johnson is tired of running her life alone…what she needs is a well-trained angel to help out. Jared Savoy gave up the dream of having a family when he discovered he is sterile. Can a confirmed bachelor and the mother of four find love amid normal daily chaos?

(Easter) Lilies for Sandi *NEW!* Sandi and Brett did everything backwards. They got pregnant before the wedding and had a baby instead of a honeymoon. Since, Brett has resented the fact that his dreams of a football career have been cut short and wonders how long it’ll take God to forgive him for his mistakes. Sandi has played second fiddle to Brett’s dreams and desires to the point of not knowing herself any longer and fears her marriage will never be a true one because of their failures. Can two hearts broken by unfulfilled dreams find healing, wholeness and restoration?
(Summer) The Big Catch *NEW!* Karla and, the love of her life, Jeff, have uncovered some uncommon ground: The Great Outdoors. For the life of her, she does not understand his love of fishing and how he can spend so much time doing so. Will she come to love the sport as much as he or will his passion for a rod and reel tangle up their relationship?
(Fall) A Hero for Jessica: Anthony Paul Seville is known as the ‘most eligible bachelor’ in New Orleans, possibly even the entire state of Louisiana, but finds himself alone—completely and explicitly alone. Jessica Aucoin is a writer on her way to fame and fortune, but is haunted by a man from her past. Will the “champion” lawyer and the author of romantic suspense find love written in their future?
(Thanksgiving) Review of Love (Newly Edited/Revised/Lengthened!): Jason Stockwell has been commissioned to interview Kylie Erickson and to review her books. Only problem is, she won’t give the time of day much less an interview to someone whose type of writing she deems not worthy of respect. Can they suspend their judgmental attitudes and find true love?
(Christmas) In His Sight: Grade school teacher Carson Alexander has a gift—a gift that has driven a wedge between him and his family. Worse, it’s put him at odds with God. Feeling alone and misunderstood, Carson views God’s gift of prophecy as the worst kind of curse…that is until he meets Lorelei Conner, landscape artist extraordinaire, and perhaps the one person who may need Carson and his gift more than anyone ever has.
Lorelei Connor is a mother on the run. Her abusive ex-husband has followed her all over the country trying to steal their daughter. Distrusting of men and needing to keep on the move, she’s surprised by her desire to remain close to Carson Alexander. Through her fear and hesitation, she must learn to rely on God to guide her—not an easy task when He’s prompting her to trust a man.
Can their relationship withstand the tragedy lurking on the horizon?
A Fun Fact From Our Guest Author: For quite some time I wanted to put together a collection of short stories that centered around the 4 seasons and 4 holidays that focus on love and family (Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Since I already had several stories at PBG, I mentioned this idea to my editor, the amazing Nicola Martinez, and she loved it. I submitted two previously unpublished stories to round out the collection, along with those Pelican Book Group had already published, and viola! Love in Season was born.
Look closely at the cover….
Recently I visited Animal Kingdom @ Walt Disney World in FL with my family and one of the most breathtaking sights is the Tree of Life / garden. Within the trunk of this huge tree are carvings of every kind of animal. You can view it from any angle and take a dozen different pictures and each time, see something more and/or different.
What does this have to do with a book cover? You ask. Read on…..
I’ve always admired the covers Pelican Book Group creates for their titles and when I first received the cover for Love in Season, I thought – how sweet, but a closer look revealed a whole lot more than a couple on a bench in front of a lovely tree.
If you took a passing glance, look again…. What do you see?
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter are all depicted within the leaves and branches of this tree!
It takes an amazing eye for detail to pick something like this for a book cover. Thanks to Nicola Martinez for creating such a beautiful work of art for for my collection of romantic short stories centered around the four seasons and four love-oriented holidays!
*see photos of the Tree of Life/Garden Here: https://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/AK-treeoflife/pages/DSC00093.htm

To Purchase Love In Season, go to:
TinyURL (kindle): http://bit.ly/LoveinSeason
Author Bio: Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” Sign up to receive Pam’s newsletter and get a FREE short story! http://bit.ly/psthibnewsletter

Links:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1jUVcdU



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Friday, March 29, 2019

Rescuing Mara's Father by D.M. Burton



Where Does Inspiration Come From          
          Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Kat. Readers often ask where authors get their inspiration. Boy, is that a hard question to answer. Everywhere? That isn’t a satisfying answer. Readers want specifics.
          My grandchildren, ages 9 and (almost) 12, know I write novels. They also know they have to wait until they’re grown up before they can read them. That’s disappointing for them. So, an idea for a book they could read came out of the blue. Since I (and my grandchildren) enjoy science fiction, I set the book at an outpost on the frontier of space, the Outer Rim. Because I want to differentiate my children’s book from my adult fiction, I wrote RESCUING MARA’S FATHER, A Science Fiction Adventure as D.M. Burton.
          Writing for my grandchildren is what precipitated the book. Fleshing it out is another story. The main character, Mara, is an almost fifteen-year-old girl. I remember my teenage years and my daughter’s. What a turbulent time. Arguing, testing limits, wanting to be both an adult and a child. So, I tapped into those emotions for the beginning of the story—Mara arguing with her father (her only parent). The argument is over something so important to her that she runs away. While she is gone, her father is arrested and taken off-planet.
          As I said, the teen years are volatile, with emotions all over the place. Mara’s are no different. She goes from never wanting to see her father again (running away) and zooms into a determination to rescue him, even if it means finding a way off the planet by herself.
          What would the teen years be without friends? Mara has one BFF, Jako, an 11-year-old boy. His older brother, Lukus, is Mara’s nemesis in the classroom. His eagerness to learn puts her to shame. When the teacher is her father, and he often praises Lukus, the green-eyed monster, jealousy, colors her relationship with him. But when she announces her determination to find her father, Jako enthusiastically volunteers to go with her. Not quite so eager, but with his own reasons, Lukus agrees to go, too. Faced with the scary idea of rescuing her father, Mara welcomes their company.
          Rescuing Mara’s Father is first and foremost an adventure story. Yet, I hope my young readers will recognize that they aren’t alone. That other kids go through the same emotional turmoil.

Blurb:
Her father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.
Instead of the kind, loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.
Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.
Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.
Never mind, she ran away because she’s furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Father is her only parent. She has to save him.
Along with her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother 15-year-old Lukus, Mara sets off to find her father. Her mentor, old spaceport mechanic, seems to know why the Queen captured Father. In fact, he seems to know her father well. But, does he tell her everything? Of course not. He dribbles out info like a mush-eating baby. Worse, he indicates he’ll be leaving them soon. And Lukus can’t wait to get off our planet. Mara’s afraid they will all leave, and she’ll be on her own. Despite her fears, Mara has to rescue her father.

Excerpt:
Another boring class on another boring day in my boring life. Nothing ever happens here at Raythos Outpost #3, the most boring place on the planet. I can’t wait to leave. Just three tendays and I’ll be off to Pamyria Tech. Then I won’t have to listen to Teacher drone on about governments of the Central Planets.
“…democracy, confederation, autocracy…”
Blah, blah, blah. I’ve heard this lecture a thousand times already. Teacher is only going over it because Perfect Lukus missed the other nine hundred and ninety-nine times. He’s fifteen—a year older than me—my best friend’s brother and a pain in the butt. He only comes to class when his work in the stable is done. Lucky him. I’d rather shovel zircan poop than sit through another history or government lesson. Bo-ring.
Of course, where I’d really rather be is in the pit at spaceport taking apart the engine of a Gilean Cruiser or, better yet, at Pamyria Tech learning how to fly one. I can’t wait. It’s bad enough this class comes after Mid-Day Meal. The sun shines through the closed window, and guess who’s sitting in its beam? If the window was open, the fresh air wouldn’t help. Just more heat, making me more drowsy.
“. . . Mara?”
How in Smilian’s Pit does Teacher always know when I’m not listening? Reluctantly, I get to my feet. Teacher insists we stand when speaking like we’re in a real classroom on a Central Planet instead of Teacher’s study in a mining village on the Outer Rim. Teacher’s desk is in one corner, and the eight of us older kids sit in two rows, one in front of the other, our comp pads for note-taking on our laps.
Usually, I sit in the back row with my buddy Jako. Today, the others got there first, and I had to sit in front. Lukus always sits in the front row whether or not he comes in late, like today. His light brown hair is slicked back and wet, as if he’s just showered. He missed the linguistics and mathematics lessons which were a lot more interesting, where I always know the right answers. Now, he gets to see me humiliated. Not that I care what he thinks of me. I don’t.
Teacher waits, his expression stern, while I try to figure out what question he asked. Part of me wants to crawl under the chair and hide. Instead I continue to stand, back straight, head up, my face burning hotter than the Laborian Desert.
I stare back at Teacher, who knows I don’t want to be here. I’m just about the only kid in this outpost who has to go to school. No, make that the only kid on this planet since Outposts #1 and #2 don’t have any kids. Wish I lived over there. As far as I’m concerned, learning history or government is a waste of time. Now, learning the inner workings of a Gilean Cruiser would be a lot more interesting.
Behind me, Jako whispers, “Example of autocracy.”
He always has my back. He’s the best friend a girl could have, even if he is only eleven.
“CoalitionPlanetComparaintheCentralDistrict,” I say in a rush and sit down.
“And why is the government of Compara considered an autocracy?” Teacher looms over me. Since the study is so small, he actually looms over all of us. He’s so tall his dark brown hair nearly brushes the ceiling. He stands as still as a soldier, back straight, his dark green eyes boring into me.
His hair and eyes are like mine, only darker. We’re a minority at this outpost. Most people have light hair the varying colors of grain in the fields, and their eyes range from pale blue to a light gray. Our green eyes set us apart, as if we don’t belong here.
I keep my head down and sharpen the pleat in my dress slacks. Most of us wear our best clothes to class. Those of us who have good clothes, that is. Being orphans on their own, Jako and Lukus don’t have good clothes. Still, they always wear clean pants and shirts, even if they are mended in places, especially Jako’s. His clothes are Lukus’s hand-me-downs. Even Teacher wears dark gray slacks and a white shirt, more formal than the normal work clothes other men wear in town. He says appropriate clothing is essential to making a good impression.
Right. Like I want to make a good impression on the kids I’ve grown up with.
Teacher clears his throat, waiting for a response. If I don’t look at him, maybe he’ll pick on someone else. It’s not like I don’t know the answer. He’s drummed it into our heads all year, as if knowing how Comparans are governed is the most important topic in the galaxy. Big whoop.
Lukus stands. “Teacher, may I attempt to answer your question?”
Show off.
At Teacher’s nod, Lukus explains. “Technically, Compara is an absolute monarchy which is a more specific type of autocracy. The Queen Regent assumed absolute power after the king and both their sons died fifteen years ago. She dissolved the Body of Representatives and rules by intimidation and terror.”
“Very good.” Teacher smiles. When he does, his eyes brighten. “Unlike some students, you have been listening,”
Gee, you think he means me?
“Thank you, sir.” Lukus sits, alert, eager to get on with the rest of the lesson.
Teacher’s Pet, I sneer, though I don’t say it out loud. I could’ve been the focus of Teacher’s smile if I’d answered. I don’t want to show off in front of the other kids. Most are my friends, and I don’t want them to think I’m better than they are. Lukus doesn’t have a problem with demonstrating what he’s learned.
How does he know this stuff? Maybe he only missed nine hundred and ninety-eight lectures. Okay, how’s this for irony? I have to be here all the time and hate it. He wants to and can’t because of his jobs. He’s the janitor at a boarding house in the morning, stable hand in the afternoon, and dishwasher at night. You’d think he’d want to just chill when he finishes early. Instead, he comes to school. Weird, huh?
The four little kids in the other corner of the study are getting restless. They must have finished the exercises Teacher gave them before he started teaching us older ones. He ignores them and asks us to identify the ideal form of government.
Like the others, except Lukus, I keep my head down so I won’t be called on. Once again, he stands. The rest of us sit back in relief. Lukus has Teacher’s attention, which is just fine. “The ideal form of government is one where all the inhabitants have a voice and are treated equally.”
I snort then mutter, “Like that’s ever going to happen.”
Jako yanks my braid and hisses at me to shut up.
Teacher pins me with his stare. “Mara, you have something to add?”
“I can explain what Mara means.” Lukus is still standing and according to class protocol, I shouldn’t have spoken. “Civilizations strive for the ideal. However—”
“I can do my own explaining.” I ignore class rules and stand without waiting for Lukus to sit. “Out here on the Rim, the only thing that matters is who’s rich enough or strong enough to rule. Might makes right. The Central Planets with their Coalition Security are light years away. They don’t care about us. Why should we learn about them or how they rule? All we have to know is who’s in charge here, and that’s the mining company.”
I sit quickly, surprised at my own outburst. Not as surprised as the rest of the class, let alone Teacher. He gives me a look that says I’m going to hear about this later. I am so glad I only have three more tendays of this. At Pamyria Tech, I won’t have to learn useless information about the Coalition and especially about Compara. I’ll learn important stuff about starship engines. Three more tendays. Just three tendays. And I am gone.

Rescuing Mara’s Father, A Science Fiction Adventure will be released on March 30th. It’s available for pre-order at the following online vendors:






About Our Feature Author:
          The first time D.M. Burton saw Star Wars IV: A New Hope, she was hooked on science fiction and space travel. The Star Trek movies made her want to travel to other planets. Alas, she is still Earth-bound. D.M. and her husband live in Michigan, close to their two children and five grandchildren.

Join D.M. Burton's readers’ group on Facebook.
For more info and excerpts, visit D.M.’s website: http://www.dmburton.com

          She writes adult fiction as Diane Burton, where she combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction and romance into writing romantic fiction. Besides writing science fiction romance, she writes romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries.
For more info and excerpts from her books, visit Diane’s website: http://www.dianeburton.com

Connect with Diane Burton online.
Sign up for Diane’s new release alert: http://eepurl.com/bdHtYf


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Monday, March 25, 2019

Love and Redemption

Wild Women Authors is pleased to focus on Luanna Stewart as she celebrates the upcoming release [April 1, 2019!!!] of Love and Redemption, a historical romance out of the Wild Rose Press.

Blurb
Mary Taylor abandoned her silk gowns and sparkling jewels when she quit her position as one of London’s highly prized courtesans. She’s determined to earn her living with a paintbrush rather than between the sheets. Starting fresh in a new country, she masquerades as a widow running a tearoom in Halifax while perfecting her art. But when she’s hired to finish the portrait of a handsome judge, she risks everything by surrendering to her lustful craving.

Finton Morash, youngest judge on the Queen’s bench, believes people are either good or bad. The dowdy widow painting his portrait is surely one of the former. After discovering the sensual beauty hiding beneath shapeless gowns, he wonders at her other secrets.

When whispers circulate about Mary’s nefarious past, she must find the courage to face the consequences. And Finton must decide whether love is worth the risk.

Pre-order Buy links:





Excerpt:

Mary glanced around before leaning closer still. "You are the most exciting thing to happen here in quite some time."
     "Am I indeed? Exciting?"
     She silently cursed her fair skin, surely bright pink. One would think that after earning her living by flirting, teasing, and more, she would be comfortable with such talk. This man wasn’t paying for the privilege of her company, though, and there lay the difference. She stared at the painting as if she'd never seen it before. "Back to important matters. Please don't feel—"
     "I want to purchase this painting. It will brighten a corner of my library. Every time I weary of opinions and laws I'll look at this and imagine myself at ease surrounded by the beauty of nature." He carefully lifted the small canvas from the wall. "I see you've signed it with only your surname. Why is that?"
     "I believe it will be easier to make my way in the artistic world if I keep my sex hidden. Women are often judged to be idly pursuing a hobby and are seldom taken seriously."
     "Hm...Would you mind signing your full name on the back? That way my heirs will know they have one of the first by a famous artist."
     She chuckled. "Where is the honesty you hold so dear?"
     Though his expression remained unchanged she detected a twinkle in his eye. Unbidden came the wish that she was indeed a respectable widow, able to pursue a friendship with this exciting man without fear of discovery.
     Enough. Her "if only's" would soon fill her largest tea urn. She had much to be grateful for. She'd come to Halifax to start anew. If that meant leaving behind physical desire then so be it.    Celibacy was a small price to pay for a life free of shame.

A bit about our Focus Author:
     Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. As soon as she discovered her grandmother's stash of romance novels, all plots had to lead to a happily-ever-after.
     Luanna writes full time, concentrating on sexy romantic suspense, steamy paranormal romance, and spicy historical romance.
     Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Luanna has recently returned to the land of her birth with her dear husband and two spoiled cats. When she's not torturing her heroes and heroines, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious.

Social Media Links:


BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/luanna-stewart





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Monday, March 18, 2019

For This Knight Only

          He’ll do anything for land, even marry her; she’ll do anything for her people, except marry him. If only either had a choice. It’s a marriage only love can save.

For This Knight Only, a medieval romance, released March 18, 2019

Blurb:
          Sir Roark will do anything to gain land, even beguile an unwilling lady into marriage. He knows she’s much better off with a man to take control of her besieged castle, to say nothing of her desirable person. But it isn’t long before he discovers that, although her eyes sparkle like sunlight on sea waves, her stubbornness alone could have defeated Saladin.  

          Lady Alyss is determined to hold her family’s castle, protect her people, and preserve her freedom— until her brother’s dying wish binds her to a stranger. Still, she’ll allow no rugged, over-confident, appealing knight to usurp her authority, even if she must wed him. Especially since he thinks a lady’s duties begin and end with directing servants. Alyss has a few surprises for her new all-too-tempting lord.

          But when a common enemy threatens everything, Roark and Alyss face a startling revelation. Without love, neither land nor freedom matters.

Buy Links
B&N

Excerpt:
What would it take to persuade her to marry him? A sudden pain burst between his legs, and he gasped, eyes blurry. The little hell-cat kneed him. Even though chain mail deflected some of the impact, he used every bit of his willpower to remain standing.
Apparently persuasion took more than a kiss.
He drew a steadying breath. “You don’t understand, my lady. You will be my wife before the sun sets. It was your brother’s dying wish. It was my pledge to a comrade.”
By God, he’d begun to believe it himself.
Alyss met him toe to toe. “This morning I had never seen you, and by tonight, you think I will marry you?”
Her head tilted back and she glared into his eyes. “Were you, perhaps, wounded in the head during a fight? Have you lost your senses as well as your hearing? How do you propose to force me to the altar?
With your army?”
With an exaggerated look around, she nodded at Alain. “Ah, yes. There it is. Impressive to be sure.”
Turning from Roark, she said, “Sir Baldwin, see that these two knights are outside
the gates by sundown. Call every man in the garrison to help, if need be. I want them gone.”
Head high as if confident her word would be enforced immediately, she strode to the
stairway.
Frowning, Sir Baldwin started forward. Roark lifted a hand to halt him. He glanced at
Alain, then back to Alyss. “One moment, my lady. Hear me out.”
She continued to walk, but everyone in the hall had no trouble hearing her. “Unless you
intend to apologize, you can say nothing that will interest me.”
Roark had known this would not be easy, but he had expected the female to at least listen to reason.
An obedient, well-behaved lady is how Sir Godfrey described her. An excellent housekeeper, but
helpless to defend herself if her menfolk were all dead. Obedient, well-behaved. Helpless.
That Lady Alyss wasn’t this Lady Alyss.

A Bit About Our Focus Author:

          Award-winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math. Through careers as a newspaper reporter and editor, then a college journalism and English professor, she’s retained her fascination with history. Give her a research book and a pot of tea, and she’s happy for hours. But what really makes her smile is working on a new story. Now retired, she lives in Missouri where she spins tales of heroines to die for—and heroes to live for.
Find Barb Here:


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Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Featuring: Debut Novel Finding Euphoria

Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome author C. Becker as she celebrates the release of her debut novel with The Wild Rose Press, Finding Euphoria. With Ms. Becker is Hailey Langley.
Tell us a bit about Finding Euphoria . It is a story about my life when I’m pulled back into the past from which I’m desperately trying to hide so I can save the son I gave up for adoption.
What made you choose graduate work in biochemistry and motherhood for a profession? During my early career, I worked as a secret agent for the Special Crimes Agency after I was kidnapped and assaulted. I wanted to fight crime, but that dream ended when I was responsible for killing my partner’s parents. I didn’t actually kill them, but I might as well have. Their deaths were my fault. My partner Parker was so upset I ran away to the East Coast and started college and a new life. While at school, I fell in love and married my current husband Mark. We have two beautiful children, ages 6 and 8 years. When they’re in school, I sneak in some graduate classes in biochemistry to finish my master’s degree. I love science and plan to do more research when the kids grow older. Mark says I’m a science geek.
Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a stay-at-home mother or do something different? I wouldn’t change a thing. My parents died when I was a teenager and I want to give my kids the type of life I had. The only part of my past I regret is putting my son up for adoption and not giving him the life I gave my other children. Finding Euphoria is partially about me finding happiness in my life through all my secrets. My one wish is to see my oldest son. Now he’s in a coma fighting for his life. The doctors can’t determine the chemical structure of the street drug Euphoria he took. His adoptive father, my former partner Parker, contacted me to help save our son.
What is your biggest fear? That my husband Mark and his family will find out the truth about my past if I help Parker search for the drug.
Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Sherlock Holmes. He was my hero as a kid. I read all his books. When I worked as a secret agent for the SCA, I aspired to solve mysteries and crimes like he did.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Work hard and never give up. My papa taught me that. He came from a difficult home life. His brother Henry died when my papa was a young teenager. Papa said it was drugs, but he doesn’t talk about it much. I don’t think he ever got over losing Henry. My grandparents had health problems. Papa worked to take care of them when my grandmother was in the hospital with cancer. He instilled in me a good work ethic.
Thank you, Hailey, for taking time away from your busy schedule to chat with us. Now it's Ms. Becker's turn at bat.
Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? Robin Cook has had a major impact on my life. I started reading his medical thrillers as a teenager and couldn’t read them fast enough. I love mysteries and science. I also love the romance of Judith McNaught’s works. I’d like to think my writing is a merger of these two writers.
With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? I began this story with the concept of exposing the crisis of the drug epidemic in the U.S. As I began writing, I added in my characters. One elderly man had Parkinson’s Disease. That led to research about dopamine. I wove the story lines together in the plot. I didn’t change my original concept, but I made it more intricately involved. I also have a character with diabetes. I enjoyed writing these diseases into the story line, and I learned a lot. At one point, I deleted sections when the writing got too technical. In another life, I’d love working in research like many of the characters do in my novel.
Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them? My publisher is The Wild Rose Press. I read about them through an email from Writer’s Digest when the site circulated publishers accepting submissions. I researched the list of names and learned that TWRP had started a thriller line. I thought the company would be a good fit for my novel so I sent them a query letter and sample.
What influenced you to submit to them? My book has some romance and definitely has the thriller/suspense aspect so I felt TWRP was a perfect home.
How is the submission process; what is the turn-around time from date of query to date of release? I sent TWRP a query in the summer of 2017 in late June. In July, they emailed that they wanted to see the entire manuscript and notified me of the agent assigned to my case. After I made some changes, I was offered a contract in March of 2018. My book will be released on March 13, 2019 so the entire process from query to release was about 20 months.
What are you reading right now? I have three books from TWRP authors on my list. I’m part way through a paranormal and I just started a novella. I haven’t opened the third one yet in the queue.
What's next for you? I’m currently working on the second book in the Euphoria series, Losing Euphoria which takes place six years later.
To learn more about C. Becker and the stories she creates go to: https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor/about
To purchase Finding Euphoria, go to:
TWRP—https://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/6572-finding-euphoria.html
To learn more about C. Becker, go to:
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Monday, March 11, 2019

Focus: ONEY, My Escape From Slavery


Wild Women Authors is pleased to focus on: ONEY, MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY, by Diana Rubino and Piper Huguley

Oney’s Story…
          Teenaged Oney Judge was Martha Washington’s ‘favorite servant.’ Oney and Martha both longed for freedom, but in very different ways. Martha hated being confined to the president’s house, forced to entertain politicians and foreign diplomats. Oney hated being someone else’s property, forced to do labor and wait on her owners day and night.
          After President Washington served one term as president, he wrote his farewell speech. He and Martha started packing for their retirement at Mount Vernon, but it was not meant to be. He was elected again—unanimously. He did not want to serve another term, but gave in under pressure.
Martha had no say in it whatsoever. But as she hosted her tea parties and levees, she became close friends with several forward-thinking women, such as Abigail Adams and Judith Murray, feminists of the time. Their radical ideas rubbed off on Martha—education and job training for women to be self-supporting instead of depending on husbands. By the end of George’s term, she experienced a steep character arc. She even changed her attitude toward slavery.
          When Oney escaped at age 20, at the end of George’s final term, Martha was very resentful: “She was more like a child to me than a servant.” The Washingtons knew that she’d escaped to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and made several attempts to recapture her. But in a sudden act of lenience, Martha gave up on Oney and let her remain free. During her husband’s presidency, Martha complained, “I am more like a state prisoner”, so perhaps she put herself in Oney’s place and realized she deserved liberty, too.
          As our first First Lady, Martha Washington evolved from a grandmotherly wife and homebody to an outspoken champion of women’s rights. She provided freedom for her slaves at her death.
While living in Portsmouth, Oney married a sailor, Jack Staines, and had three children. She outlived her husband and children, and lived her remaining free life in Greenland, New Hampshire. Somewhat of a local celebrity, she lived in poverty, but the locals supported her and she took in sewing to supplement her meager income. She declared in an 1847 interview, “I am free now and choose to remain so.”

An Excerpt from ONEY, MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY

The hour finally came—while they ate dinner.
          Nothing heavied my heart—not remorse, not guilt, not sadness upon fleeing my master and mistress. Raw thirst for freedom overcame all that. I walked straight past the Washingtons and out that door. When I shut it, I left them—and my forced bondage— behind me.
          I tore through the muddy streets in pouring rain. Gasping for breath, soaked to the skin, my heart slamming in terror, I glanced behind me, again and again. No one pursued me—yet. I dreaded and expected pounding footsteps, a clap on my shoulder. But, I asked myself, who would chase me through the driving rain? No, it is not possible, I affirmed—they didn’t even know I’d left the kitchen.
          At the Jones house I slowed and caught my breath. When Absalom opened the door, I staggered inside, laughing, sobbing, gulping for dear life.
         I spent the night pacing the attic room, hands clasped. “I beg of you, dear God, walk beside me on this journey. See me through this safe. Don’t let them capture me. I only want to be your servant, no one else’s.”
          As daybreak nudged away the darkness, I fell to my knees, weary with fatigue. “Thank you, dear God, for ending my final night of bondage.”

A note from Diana about 'Serendipity at Work'
          In May 2014, popular romance author Brenda Novak had her annual auction for diabetes—authors donate books, critiques, etc., and people bid on them, similar to Ebay. I donated one of my other books, and I also donated a free manuscript critique. An author named Piper Huguley won the critique auction, but the auction ended and I never heard from her. I thought oh, well, she doesn't want it after all. About 3 months later, she wrote me and sent me her story, A CHAMPION’S HEART, to critique. It's a romance about an African American girl, set in rural Georgia in the 1910s. Very moving and powerful story. I loved it. It was published in 2016 by Liliaceae Publishers.
          I'd been wanting to find an African American author to go over my Oney novel, but never looked for anyone. I thought of asking one of my grade school classmates, but just didn't get to it...well, one day I decided to ask Piper.
          Right after I asked her, she wrote back and said she'd be happy to help. Then I went on Facebook and saw that Piper just posted that her mother passed away that morning. So I sent her a message of condolence. Then she wrote this back to me:
          And I appreciate your kind comments about my mother. You see, I see your request as "heaven sent" for I think I told you about how my mother told me about Oney. I know that she would want me to work on anything, do anything to forward that story. So, even in the midst of a difficult time, I look forward to helping you--something I really didn't expect after you had helped me so much. Thank you for that.
          I don't remember her telling me that her mother told her about Oney. I've heard so many stories about people who pass away, and send 'signs' etc. to their loved ones, this was just too strange to be coincidence. Piper helped me a great deal with Oney’s story and became my co-author. We dedicated the book to her mother.

To purchase ONEY, go to: http://getBook.at/ONEY 

About our Focus Authors, Diana Rubino and Piper Huguley:
          Diana writes about folks who shook things up. Her passion for history and travel has taken her to every locale of her stories, set in Medieval and Renaissance England, Egypt, the Mediterranean, colonial Virginia, New England, and New York. Her urban fantasy romance FAKIN’ IT won a Top Pick award from Romantic Times. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III Society and the Aaron Burr Association. When not writing, she runs CostPro, Inc., an engineering business, with her husband Chris. In her spare time, Diana bicycles, golfs, plays her piano and devours books of any genre. She spends as much time as possible just livin' the dream on her beloved Cape Cod.
          Piper Huguley is a two-time Golden Heart ®finalist and is the author of the “Home to Milford College” series. The series follows the building of a college from its founding in 1866. Book #1 in the series, The Preacher’s Promise was named a top ten Historical Romance in Publisher’s Weekly by the esteemed historical romance author, Beverly Jenkins and received Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest Contest of Self-Published e-books in 2015.
          Her new series “Born to Win Men” starts with A Champion’s Heart as Book #1. A Champion’s Heart was named by Sarah MacLean of The Washington Post as a best romance novel selection for December 2016. She blogs about the history behind her novels at http://piperhuguley.com. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and son.

To connect with Diana and Piper, go to:


Twitter: @DianaLRubino



Twitter: @PiperHuguley



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