Thursday, January 30, 2014

January release celebration

Decadent Publishing's throwing a party for its January releases on Facebook tonight! I had two this month - A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe and The Ex Factor. Woot!

I hope you'll join us tonight for a fun chat and, as always, giveaways. It starts at 9:00 p.m. EST on the Decadent FB book club. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

New release! The Marine's Heiress by Susan Kelley

Congrats to Susan Kelley on the release of The Marine's Heiress, followup to her bestselling The Marine's Queen!

A Recon Marine set on vengeance finds duty honor and love instead, but it may be too late to stop the explosion of violence he set in motion.

Susan also writes wonderful epic fantasy under the name Susan Gourley - check out her blog at http://susangourley.blogspot.com/  Her Futhark Chronicles are excellent reads.

Wishing you many sales, Susan!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Cover reveal: Complete Me by Catherine Peace

Congrats to Cate Peace on her upcoming March release of Complete Me, her contemporary Decadent 1NS! You're lucky enough to get a glimpse at the amazing cover, and read the (unofficial) blurb:

Out of the dating game for five years, best-selling romance author Claire Ergleston is convinced that writing out the romances she’s always wanted is a lot safer than trying in real life. Then she receives the news that she’s been signed up for a 1Night Stand date “to give her something to talk about in interviews.” Nothing worse than a romance author with no romance to pick apart.



Former rock star Ty Krause has let his past rule him for almost a decade. Unable to let the former love of his life go for good, he spends his days writing passable songs for a British boy band and his nights wishing he had the balls to say goodbye. In a last ditch effort, he signs up for 1Night Stand, thinking that a night of no-strings-attached sex will help him cut the other strings holding him back.


When the two meet, their instant attraction and connection muddy the waters a little too much. Will past hurts hold them back from each other, or will they be able to move forward and live out their dreams together?

Help Cate celebrate with a comment! Share the cover love. :) 

Visit Cate on her blogs:
Going from Nobody to Somebody
The Pen Punks


Friday, January 24, 2014

Happy release day to The Ex Factor!

I'm out and about, as you can imagine, happy dancing all over the web. :)

You can catch me at the Decadent 1NS blog to help celebrate the release of The Ex Factor, my latest 1Night Stand story. A short, but hot, story with a touch of humor and a little bit of Hollywood. :)

I'm also visiting Beckey White's blog with a spotlight on The Ex Factor. Thanks so much, Beckey!

The official post for The Ex Factor appears just below. I'll be adding buy links as they come online. That is, when I can stop happy dancing long enough!


A click, please?
And in case you missed my earlier post this week, I'd love your vote for Cursed in this month's You Gotta Read cover contest. Please visit the site and vote for #10, Cursed, The Vitruvian Man book 1.

I'm so grateful for your support. :)

The Ex Factor, contemporary romance short


The Ex Factor
1NS Series
Contemporary
About 10,200 words


Once half of the most powerful ‘it’ couple in Hollywood, actress Susan Ainsley is tired of shallow guys or men who only want to bask in her spotlight. When her ex can’t seem to stop trashing their relationship even though he’s remarried, she looks to Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand service to help her find a real partner.

Susan has starred in director Jared Thornwell’s dreams for years. But after divorcing her cardboard husband, it seems she’s out on the town with a new guy every other week. Jared wants nothing more than to be the man who fulfills her dreams too, but even with Madame Eve’s help, does he stand a chance with her for longer than one night?



Reviews (coming soon)

Casting Call

Excerpt

Like something out of a horror flick, the white rose advanced. So pure and delicate, its petals caught the candlelight with a soft but brilliant glow. But how…? “How did you get that?”
Amusement flickered across his features. “I assure you, I didn’t sneak into anyone’s yard and snip it.”
She glanced around. “Was it already at the table when you sat down?”
“No, Susan.”
“You….” She must seem an idiot, but she couldn’t fathom it. “You?” Her 1Night Stand date?
“Me,” he said sheepishly.
“There’s been a mistake.” Madame Eve’s first, apparently. And wow, what a doozy. “I specified a date with a real person.”
Mirth practically bubbled up. “I am a real person.”
“No, I meant, yes, of course you’re a real person. But you’re a director. A world-famous director.” About as far from ordinary as anyone could get.
“I’m still real.” He held his arm out. “Want to pinch me?”
She gently shoved it away. “No.”
He rose to a crouch. “Maybe you’d rather pinch me somewhere else?” He swung his rear toward her.
A chuckle escaped. Great butt. Tempting offer. She gestured for him to sit. “No,” she whispered. “I’m simply explaining there’s been a mistake. I have to text Madame Eve.” She whipped out her cell.
His hand enveloped hers. “No, there hasn’t.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. Oh, this poor man. If she wasn’t dead set on finding someone who hated movies, she’d be tempted to—
He leaned across the table, the white rose between them. “Madame Eve’s reputation remains untarnished. She filled both our requests.”
Holy hell. He arranged a date, too.


Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Casting Call: The Ex Factor

I'm getting antsy for this week's release of my contemporary 1Night Stand, The Ex Factor. The perfect excuse to share the Casting Call!

Susan Ainsley was once half of the Hollywood 'it' couple. After her husband left her for another actress, Susan can't escape being linked to him in the news. It drives her to think of a more permanent escape - getting out of show business and going home. But she loves the creative aspect of film making, and would love to expand into other areas such as directing. She's willing to give Madame Eve, the mysterious 1Night Stand matchmaker, a shot at pairing her with a real man, not just someone who wants to share the spotlight with her.

Julia Stiles is a perfect Susan, adored by the public as the all-American sweetheart actress.

Jared Thornwell's the polar opposite of Susan - outwardly. When he directs a movie, he earns the nickname "Thornballs" but popularity matters less to him than making an outstanding film.

Except when it comes to Susan. He has a definite soft spot for her. He's tried to work up the nerve to ask her out for two years, since her cardboard husband walked out on her. Finally, he turns to Madame Eve to set up his dream date. But will it turn into his worst nightmare?

Hugh Jackman has played prickly characters very well, and would be great as Jared.

The Ex Factor is a short story, so that wraps this Casting Call.

Soon to be appearing on Decadent Publishing's site and most online ebook sellers!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Cursed up for best cover!

I'm so excited that Cursed is in the running for Best Cover at You Gotta Read Reviews. It would be such a thrill to win - but I can't do that without your vote!

Please visit the site and vote for #10, Cursed, The Vitruvian Man book 1.

I'm so grateful for your support. :)





Thursday, January 16, 2014

The lesson of the sled

This is my sled. Sure, it's a holiday decoration *now*.  When I was a kid, it was my ticket to ride. To fly.

My sisters and brothers and I would drag our sleds about a quarter mile from our house to sled down a steep hill. Mini-mountain might better describe it. Sometimes at the bottom, we'd build a snow ramp so we'd catch some air (though we didn't call it that in those days, the term wouldn't be invented for decades to come).

We'd sled for HOURS. Pull the sled uphill, legs burning, until we reached the top. Take a moment to survey the slope, then position ourselves on the sled and *whoosh*. Down in much less time than it took to climb that hill.

But we kept doing it over and over and over. Because view from the top was so spectacular, made even better because we knew the thrill was coming. The trip down gave us such a rush. We didn't complain about the hill being too steep because that was the point of it - the higher the hill, the better the ride.

Nor did we complain about our sleds being too heavy - about 25 pounds by my husband's estimate. It must have been taller than I was. It stands up to my shoulder now. These days when I pull it out of the basement to set it outside, I always think 'Wow, this is heavy. How the heck did I manage to use it when I was a girl?'

For one, in the Sixties, the Flexible Flyer sled was probably state of the art, lol. And because when we're kids, there's a clearer goal ahead - the fun. Words like "impossible" held no place in our worlds because we challenged everything and turned impossible on its head.

And it was so worth it.

I admit, at some point years later, we traded in these heavy runner sleds for the plastic saucer-type. But it wasn't quite the same. Maybe I'd outgrown the whole thing, or thought I did.

Not hard to guess how this applies to writing. Just do the work for the prize at the end, and because you love it - ups and downs alike.

I put the sled back in the basement until next winter, but I'll try to keep the lesson fresh all year.

The best part is, I'll never stop writing.

How about you?