Blissful Tragedy by Amy L. Gale @amyg618 #contemporary #romance #excerpt

My heart starts racing again. I grab my phone and do something I never dreamed I’d do. I dial Van Sinclair’s number.

“Hey,” he answers.

I fidget with my fingers. “Hi. After serving my slavery sentence I found an interesting package at my door.”

“Really? I can’t imagine what it could be.”

I bite my lip. “Well, it’s kind of cryptic. Maybe it’s from some psychotic serial killer.”

“You need to watch out for those crazy bastards that go around killing cereal.” He laughs. “You said you love the ocean. I’m hoping you’ll want to come to the show and spend some beach time with me. I need someone to show me the ropes, or should I say the waves.”

My heart literally skips a beat. Van wants me to stay with him, at the beach, in a hotel? The butterflies in my stomach flutter frantically. I know exactly what will be happening if Van and I share a hotel room. What should I do? I really want to see him again, but musicians aren’t known to be the most faithful people. Who am I kidding? He may only want me for one night.

I pace around the room. Oh, but I meet with Owen Jenkins tomorrow morning. Well, there’s really not much I can do to prepare for my new position yet. I certainly can use some fun, and I’m sure nothing will evolve from this anyway. I pull out a kitchen chair and sit. Ah, a slumber party with Van Sinclair. My whole body trembles and tingles. I’m breathless as heat radiates through my chest. I take a deep breath and swallow hard to relieve the dryness in my mouth; I try to act clever.

“Should I pack life jackets?”

He chuckles. “I think they provide that stuff here.”

I twirl my hair around my fingers. “Ok, I have a meeting with my new boss tomorrow morning. I’ll leave in the afternoon so I should be there around four o’clock.”

“I booked a room at the Sea Star Hotel. It doesn’t have a casino so we won’t have to deal with any drunken gamblers,” he says. “I have to go to meet everyone at Bader Field now but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” I reply.

Did I forget to breathe again? I let my dizzy head fall back and slink into the chair. Oh no, did I dream this up in a sleep-deprived daydream? I look over at the box on the table and pinch myself just to make sure. Ouch, yep this is for real. 

Sometimes love is more than tragedy or bliss.

Ambitious 22-year-old Lexie Waters is intent on taking the advertising world by storm. When she’s offered the soon to be open position she’s been vying for at a swanky advertising agency, there’s only one last summer separating her from dreams of corporate success. Still bitter from catching her boyfriend cheating, she heads out for a night of fun to see her favorite band, Devil’s Garden, but fun turns into utter embarrassment when she insults the enticingly confident lead singer, Van Sinclair. 

Van is intrigued by Lexie’s ability to resist his charm and secretly obtains her cell number. Shocked but eager to get to know this captivating rocker, Lexie accepts Van’s invitation to see his next show, which requires an overnight stay. The overwhelming feelings that follow take them both by surprise, and with two months left before starting her sought after new position, Lexie joins the tour. As she’s catapulted into the world of groupies and wild parties, she questions Van’s commitment to her. So what happens at summer’s end when time runs out?

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Genre - Contemporary Romance

Rating – R

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Website www.authoramygale.com

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Georgia Le Carre on #BookMarketing, Writing & Life @GeorgiaLeCarre #Romance #AmReading

What books did you love growing up?

Children’s adventure stories and then romance, of course.  Ah, the books I devoured!

Who is your favorite author?

Cormac McCarthy

What book genre of books do you adore?

There is no set genre that I particularly gravitate towards.  My reading taste is varied and I like it like that.

What book should everybody read at least once?

There is no book that is perfect for everybody.  We each find the book that is perfect for our own journeys.

Is there any book you really don’t enjoy?

Maybe something about football or cricket.

What do you hope your obituary will day about you?

She had fun.

How did you develop your writing?

I always think of writing as a work in progress.  Still learning all the time.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

MARKETING.  Ugh… not my thing at all.  I really suck at it.

What marketing works for you?

The more appropriate question might be what doesn’t work for you?  Everything!  Seriously though, I have a FB page, a twitter account, I pay for Goodreads ads and hire blog tour organisers to set up blog tours for my books.  And that is the extent of my marketing.

Beyond the seductive power of immense wealth lies... Dark Secrets

Devastatingly handsome billionaire, Blake Law Barrington was Lana Blooms first and only love. From the moment they touched his power was overwhelming. Their arrangement quickly developed into a passionate romance that captivated her heart and took her on an incredible sexual journey she never wanted to end.

The future together looked bright until Lana made a terrible mistake. So, she did the only thing she could... she ran.

Away from her incredible life, away from the man of her dreams, but she should have known a man such as Blake Law Barrington was impossible to escape. Now, he's back in her life and determined that she should taste the bitterness of his pain.

Shocked at how rough the sex has become and humiliated that she is actually participating so willingly in her punishment, she despairs if she will ever feel the warmth of his touch--the solidity of his trust again? And even if she can win his trust, loyalties are yet to be decided, and secrets to be revealed--secrets that will test them both to their limits.

Will Lana be able to tear down the walls that surround Blake's heart, and break him free of the brutal power of immense wealth?

Can Blake hold on to Lana's heart when she discovers the enormity of the dark secrets that inhabit the Barrington family?

Lana has always believed that love conquers all. She is about to test that belief...

Buy @ Amazon

Genre – Erotic Romance

Rating – PG-18

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Rodney Lacroix on #BookMarketing that Works for Him @moooooog35 #Humor #Comedy

What motivates you to write?

My kids are my main motivation. Also my adult onset ADD can turn anything I see or do into something ridiculous. It's at that point that I HAVE to write it down because I'm also 45 and my mind is crap so I'll forget it if I don't.

What writing are you most proud of?

I'm really proud of my new book, "Perhaps I've Said Too Much" which is an internation best seller on Amazon for humor/comedy: http://bit.ly/19BKPp5

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

My kids, obviously. I honestly don't know who I'd be as a person without them. Probably rich and owning my own island or something. Great. Now I'm sad. Thank you for that depressing question.

What books did you love growing up?

I used to be a huge fan of Stephen King before all his writing started to just turn into same-ol, same-ol. Then it started to sound like listening to the same band all the time. Zzzzzzzzz.

What book should everybody read at least once?

Either one of mine would be great. "Things Go Wrong for Me" or "Perhaps I've Said Too Much." I appreciate your purchase. Thanks in advance.

Is there any books you really don’t enjoy?

Gay erotica. I don't even know if that's a thing. I'm just guessing I won't like it. Unless it's just women. Then it's cool.

What do you hope your obituary will day about you?

He loved to make people laugh. Also, he was really really rich and had his own harem.

How did you develop your writing?

I have had a very successful blog called, "Mental Poo" for 7 years. My writing really took off there, and my second book really shows how it's been honed down from the early days of that blog.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

I would have to say marketing because right now for this book tour I have to answer 50 questions like this AND I AM SO EXHAUSTED.

Also, marketing costs money...which is tough when you don't have any.

What marketing works for you?

I find that public book reviews and getting the word out to book pages and things on Facebook or Twitter usually have good results. Also, having celebrities with large followings endorse your book doesn't hurt, either.

Do you find it hard to share your work?

No. The main goal of any writer is to be read. If you're afraid to share your work, how does that happen? You, sadly, can't rely on people to get word out about your book. It's a lot of pavement pounding, but you have to do it.

Perhaps I’ve Said Too Much is the much anticipated follow-up to the heralded, award-winning Things Go Wrong For Me. In his second book, Rodney continues to harass the reader with his dull wit and unique story-telling style. Complete with original hand-drawn artwork and graphics, one-two punch Brain Nuggets, and the ever-popular Draw Something Files, Perhaps will not disappoint.* (Assumes you are an immature child who enjoys potty humor and making fart noises with your armpits.)

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Genre - Humor, Comedy

Rating – PG-13

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Nina Elaine Borum Shares 10 Things She Wishes She Knew About ... @ninaelaineb #amwriting #writetip

10 Things I Wish I Knew About Being an Author I Didn’t Know Before 

1. It’s easier than most people think. Being an author always start with having a life experience and then it continues with having an idea that develops from your life experience. The difference between an author and everyone else is simply that the author decided to communicate their ideas and life experiences to the world while others just shared their lives with those around them.  We all have author potential.
2. It’s harder than most people think. Can anyone publish? Yes. Should everyone publish, no.  Writing is one form of communicating your message. People should communicate in the medium that they feel the strongest about and are most gifted in.
3. You will be criticized.  Every time I write a blog post I put myself out there a little bit. The more people who read my writings the larger the chance is that someone will not like what I have to say. Healthy criticism is necessary for me to grow as a writer and I always feel good when people disagree with me, it says that I’m going against the grain, and I enjoy that.
4. You will be encouraged. The amount of love and support that I receive from writing is overwhelming. Most people never take the plunge to share their story or their ideas so they are inspired by the people who do. Many writers fear that no one will value what they have to say, that’s untrue. Believe in your message and people will rally around you.
5. You become an expert. I’ve always been told that I was a good speaker and so I felt that my ministry would be to become a traveling speaker. I learned quickly that in order for people to invite you to speak, they have to feel that you are valuable and offer information or insights that they don’t have. Being a published author immediately gives you some level of expertise about the topic you are write about.
6. You need a team. So you are a writer? Great. Are you a graphic designer, marketing expert, social media guru, publishing company, website designer & event planner as well? Probably not. Be honest with yourself to know the things that you can do yourself and the things that you will need to hire others to do. Understand that your book is not possible without your team so treat them with kindness, respect and gratitude.
7. You need money. Even though there are ways to publish your book for “free”. It will serve any author well to be prepared to invest in their book. If the author doesn’t want to make an investment in their work, they shouldn’t expect others to purchase their book.  There are other costs involved outside of just getting your book printed.  Effective and creative marketing, travel expenses for your book tour & hiring experts to help you along the way are just a few expenses of publishing a book. Don’t let the costs catch you off guard, do your research and be prepared.
8. You need an existing platform. Your success as an author doesn’t start after your book is published, it starts now. I have been advised on multiple occasions that I am not selling my book, I am selling myself. Building a platform means building authentic connections with people in your niche market. When people trust you, they trust your message!
9. You need multiple social media platforms. Having a strong social media following before the release of your book is vital. Months before my release date, I had to update and create social media accounts. I also had to make sure that all these accounts represented my brand effectively. Poorly branded and inconsistently updated social media sites will turn off potential readers.
10. You have a message worth sharing. When I first started writing this book, I was pretty selfish. I said things like “I’m just writing this book for me, I don’t care if it sells or not”. That reasoning is completely absurd. First of all, if you believe that God gave you a message, why would you keep it to yourself? Why wouldn’t you want your message to get across to as many people as possible? Don’t be afraid to promote your work.

You didn't learn these prayers in Sunday school. Put your armor on, and get ready to see God move!

Do you ever get sick of praying? It's okay to admit. We all do. It is emotionally draining to beg God without ceasing. Christians often forget that under Christ's authority, we have the power to command God's promises to be released from heaven to earth and into our lives.

In Praying for Men of P.O.W.E.R., author Nina Elaine Borum challenges readers to stand confidently and command the promises of God for the men in your life. As someone who has struggled with prayer, Nina believes that God does not intend for his children to feel helpless in praying. His Word has instructed us in how to bring the kingdom of heaven to a world where Satan runs freely. We are all in the midst of a vicious spiritual battle, and Nina hopes this book will help you to fight on behalf of Christian men.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Tate Publishing

Genre - Christian non-fiction

Rating – G

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Fool for Love by Merry Farmer @MerryFarmer20

Chapter Four

The Majestic rose up out of the water in its Liverpool dock with all the glory of its name.  Amelia held one hand to her hat and stared at its iron sides, its two dun-colored funnels and three tall masts.  The ship was a strange thing to her, a mixture of old and new, progress with hints of the past.  It had sails that could be unfurled in a pinch, but with its powerful new engines, the ship could cross the ocean in a week.

Seven days to a new world.  It was an exact description of everything her life had become.  It was every bit as daunting.

“What am I doing?” Amelia whispered, staring at the hopeful monstrosity in front of her.  It was one thing to accept an offer for a new life.  It was another thing entirely to go through with it.

She turned away from the ship, swallowing the nausea that had plagued her since she’d left her mother’s house.  This time it wasn’t morning sickness.  That was long past.  At the moment, the baby was the least of her worries.  Her stomach rolled over the idea that she was about to board a ship heading for a new life at the mercy of a stranger, a man, no less.  The last time she had trusted her life and her future to a man had been a disaster.

She paced, purse clutched to her chest, scanning the busy dock in search of her American savior.  Men, women, and children crowded the gangplanks, eager to start their journeys, excited and hopeful.  Many of the third-class passengers carried bundles that indicated theirs was a one-way trip as much as hers was.  Eric had left her there to go buy her ticket, but there was nothing stopping him from running off and leaving her stranded.  Like her father.  Like Nick.  She was a fool to agree to this.  She pivoted and marched away from the ship.

No, she stopped herself after a handful of steps, this was the best decision she could have made.  She may have felt small and lonely standing by herself, waiting, heart and stomach fluttering, but she was as much a part of the intrepid adventurers seeking a new life in America as any of her fellow passengers.  This was right.

Maybe.

“Well, we got a minor problem on our hands.”

The twang of Eric’s accent shocked Amelia from her worries.  She spun to face him as he approached her with wide strides, scratching his head and looking as guilty as a schoolboy.

“A problem?” she asked, voice fluttering.

“Yeah.  I went to buy you a ticket, but they’re plumb sold out.”

Amelia’s chest tightened and her tender stomach lurched.  “Oh.  Oh dear.  Well I suppose….”

She lowered her eyes, heart aquiver.  As quickly as it started, her chance for a new life was over.  All that worrying for nothing.

She squared her shoulders to face her fate.  “I … I thank you for your efforts on my behalf regardless, Mr. Quinlan.”

Eric’s brow crinkled into a curious frown.  “Regardless?”

“I suppose I could find work here in Liverpool,” she explained.  “Surely there must be a shop somewhere that would look the other way from….”  She lowered her hand to the mound of her stomach.

Eric’s lips twitched.  The morning sunlight caught in his eyes.  “I didn’t want to have to put you in third-class, so I told them you were my wife.”

Amelia blinked.  “You what?”

“I told them we’re newlyweds.  I reserved my stateroom in first class last year when I came over.  Good thing I paid for it then too, ‘cuz after this fiasco of a trip I’ll never ride first-class again.  Anyhow, when they said they didn’t have any more rooms, I told them you were my wife and that we would be staying in the same stateroom.  They sold me a ticket for that.”  He handed her a fresh, clean ticket with her name written as ‘Mrs. Amelia Quinlan’.  “Sorry.”

Amelia held perfectly still on the outside, but on the inside her heart pounded and her stomach rolled with guilt for questioning him.  He wasn’t abandoning her.  He had gone out of his way to help her.  Her heart squeezed as it never had before.  She took the ticket from him with a trembling hand, hardly noticing when her fingers brushed his.  She was rescued after all.

“Thank you, Mr. Quinlan.  You have no idea how much this kindness means to me.”  She had to concentrate on breathing, standing straight, and looking up into his handsome eyes with a smile to keep her tears at bay.

“You don’t mind sharing then?” he asked her.

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Genre – Western Historical Romance

Rating – R

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Website http://merryfarmer.net

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Sheena Binkley & Her Favourite #Authors @ChevonBink #Romance #YA #NA

Who is your favorite author?

I love anything with Carl Weber, Nicholas Sparks, Victoria Christopher Murray, and Reshonda Tate Billingsley. Now that the New Adult genre is huge, I love various authors from Jessica Sorensen to Colleen Hoover.

What book genre of books do you adore?

I love the New Adult genre. It’s just something about reading characters who come full circle with their lives and finding love when they least expect it. I can’t get enough of the genre.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you live now?

I grew up in Houston, Texas, but I live in a sub city named Stafford, which is still in Houston.

Do you find it hard to share your work?

I do sometimes. I may be a bit intimidated when I share my work mostly to strangers than family or friends. With my first story, In Love With My Best Friend, I was really nervous to share it to the public because this was my first book and didn’t know how people would perceive me and my writing. So it takes a little getting used to with comments or feedback about a particular writing or work.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

My family and friends definitely support me. They were the first one out buying my book! I really appreciate their love and support for me while trying to find my way as a writer. It means a lot.

Do you plan to publish more books?

Of course! I’m in the process of publishing my fifth book, Trust Me, which is the second book in the Love, Life, & Happiness series. The story will be released February 27^th.  I am taking a month off from writing and will start back in April to begin writing The Wedding Part I & II.

What else do you do to make money, other that write? It is rare today for writers to be full time….

I’m an office manager for a driving school. I run the entire office as well as help teenagers and adults with driving programs. I’m also a freelance writer, and have published several articles for various sites.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

I have been a secretary, a preschool teacher, a cashier for Old Navy and for a community college, and a substitute teacher.

How do you write- lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

I have to use a computer when writing.  I feel lost without one.  When I have ideas, I usually jot them down on my iPad, but I have to use a computer for the final project.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?

Usually I will read, watch TV, hang out with my family and friends, or just sleep. Sleep is always good!

Tia Simmons has been happily dating Eric Taylor for the past 6 months, and could possibly see a future with him. He’s everything Tia wants in a man- smart, funny, and extremely sexy, but she feels something is missing in the relationship. Until she finds what she’s looking for, she’ll be with Eric as long as she can.

Charles Robinson always dated women without the concept of falling in love. He doesn’t even want to think about the word considering he was at one point in his life. When his ex arrives claiming she wants another chance with him, he starts to rethink the notion that love is not a bad thing.

While the two are living their lives, they both are centered around their best friends, Camille Anderson and Trevor Williams, who are madly in love. Seeing the two together put their own lives in prospective and wonder if their lives are where they should be; but there is one problem that have plagued them both.

Tia and Charles have known each other since high school. They were actually good friends, until one night changed their relationship forever. After that night, the two have been distanced, causing them to snip at each other any chance they got. But when a new merger unexpectedly puts Tia and Charles in the same company, the two have to come together not only for a big account, but also to settle their differences before both are out of a job.

Through a string of events, including a drunken night out, a game of strip Twister, and a wedding, the two realize that love can come when they least expect it.

(A Chance At Love is the sequel to In Love With My Best Friend, but the book is considered a standalone and can be read separately.)

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Genre - Fiction- Young Adult/New Adult

Rating – R

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Connect with Sheena Binkley through Twitter

Website http://sheenabinkley.wordpress.com/

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Lauren Linwood on Friends, Writing & Books @LaurenLinwood #Historical #Romance #MustRead

*What’s your next project? My next book scheduled for 2014 is A Change of Plans, a western historical romance. My heroine Maggie writes dime novels under a man’s pen name, and she jilts her bridegroom (whom she didn’t love) at the altar in order to travel west and experience first-hand everything she writes about. She interviews a cowboy fresh off a cattle drive for her new book and winds up falling for him. The trouble is, Ben isn’t a true cowboy—he’s a gambler running from a vengeful gunslinger and was simply hiding out on the Chisholm Trail. Will Ben run from his growing attraction to Maggie and the gunfighter’s promise of death—or will he make a stand for his life—and love?

*How do you feel about self-publishing? I’m not interested in it at this time. I’m happy that it’s opened up avenues for many writers to get their work out to the public, but I’m happy that my publishing house (Soul Mate Publishing) handles things for me such as editing, formatting, and cover design. That way I have more time to concentrate on the writing part. Those in self-publishing have to divide their time more between those activities.

*How important are friends in your life? I consider my friends a part of my family. They are my brothers and sisters by choice. I lean on them for advice. I share the good and bad times with them. They enrich my life and help complete it in a truly satisfying way.

*How many friends does a person need? That’s different for each individual. Where one person is comfortable with a single, trusted friend, others might enjoy the time they spend with a dozen or more. It can change at different times in your life, as well.

*What social issues interest you the most? Public education will always be my top priority, especially having been a teacher for so many years. Creating informed citizens who become servant leaders and contribute back to society should be our nation’s top goal.

*Do you find the time to read? I will always make time to read. Reading takes me to new places. I have adventures. I learn. I laugh. I cry. It challenges me. Informs me. Guides me. There will always be a place in my life for reading.

*Who do you admire? First responders and those who serve in our nation’s military. I believe those are the most noble calling.

*What is your favorite quality about yourself? I’m a loyal listener.

*What is your least favorite quality about yourself? I have a tendency to be impatient.

*What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? It’s by Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher—“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” This quote really speaks to my heart. As a writer, I could be overwhelmed thinking about producing an entire novel, but something like that doesn’t happen overnight. Every book ever written started with that first word, then first sentence, then first paragraph. Alone, those few words don’t seem like very much, but together, putting paragraph after paragraph, chapter after chapter, taking your time crafting plot and characters—it all adds up to a wonderful whole. Breaking down any difficult task in life into smaller, more manageable steps is the best way to accomplish your goals.

*What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? My daughter is, and always will be, mine and my husband’s greatest accomplishment. She’s creative, passionate, nurturing, intelligent, humorous, and caring. To see I had a small hand in the person she’s become is simply breathtaking.

Lily Frontiere returns from a costly European trip to find her mother has accumulated large gambling debts. Things grow worse as her mother’s health deteriorates and she can no longer run Lucky Lil’s, the most famous whorehouse in San Francisco. Though Lilian shielded her only child from house life by sending her away to boarding school, Lily takes over and poses as Madam Lil. Her intelligence and astonishing resemblance to her mother help, but she’s entering a world she knows little about. Lily tries to extract the house from impending financial ruin until a handsome stranger turns up with the deed to Lucky Lil’s in hand.

Gambler Jed Stone journeys to California to track down Simon Morgan, the man responsible for his best friend’s death. Arrested for robbery and murder upon arrival, he is shocked to see his face on a wanted poster. Jed escapes before his hanging, unaware that the man guilty of those crimes is the twin brother he never knew existed. In a case of mistaken identity, Jed acquires Lucky Lil’s in a rigged card game his twin is meant to win.

Jed asks Madam Lil to stay on as he learns the business. Lily clashes with the new owner over ways to make the establishment profitable, yet she is attracted to the charming risk taker at the same time. Jed is fooled by Lily’s charade until he stumbles upon the real Madam Lil and learns the truth behind Lily’s deception. His admiration for Lily blossoms into love.

But Simon Morgan seeks both Lily’s hand and ownership of Lucky Lil’s—and he will go to any means to possess both. Will Jed foil his nemesis while bringing his outlaw brother to justice?

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Genre - Western Historical Romance

Rating – PG

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Connect with Lauren Linwood on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.laurenlinwood.com/

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