BLIND ALLEGIANCE by Violetta Rand

It’s a risk of a lifetime loving a man you’re supposed to hate…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?

Violetta will award a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter.
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found HERE


I want to thank Ms. Rand for coming on the blog and writing a guest post for us.

Is historic romance harder to write than contemporary?

I’m not an expert on contemporary romances, although I’ve read many, and am busy writing my first one now. Writing what you know is safe. For me, contemporaries are easier to read—there’s a smoother rhythm to them. I’m familiar with the environment, language, and culture. It’s like wearing my favorite pair of slippers.
Historicals are different. Authors are pushed outside their comfort zones. Research is always the first step. One of the hardest things is setting aside your own perspective/judgment so you can craft the world through the eyes of your characters. The most difficult thing I’ve encountered is the content standards romance writers are expected to meet (i.e., no depraved acts). As a contemporary writer, I think it’s easier to color within the lines. As a historical writer, who loves Vikings, it’s a challenge. Vikings pillage. You get the idea.
Historical fiction readers are smart critics. They don’t just want to be entertained—they want hard facts.
The internet, television, magazines/newspapers, and popular places provide limitless research opportunities for contemporary authors. In comparison, historical sources can be limited. And in some cases, information gaps exist. It’s the historical fiction writer’s job to convincingly fill in those gaps.
There’s no right answer. All writers are creative geniuses, and no matter what genre they prefer, finishing the story is always the hardest thing to do.


Excerpt:

She covered her face, blocking Randvior’s eyes from her own. She was only guessing—which never served anyone very well. She whirled, retreating full speed, heading directly for the cabin. She collided with a soldier. Noelle shoved him away in a huff, and tripped over her own feet as she stumbled through the door. She slammed it shut, barricading herself inside.

Confinement was the only escape at her disposal. But that only lasted a few minutes. Randvior tried to open the door. She braced her legs, hoped to keep the rest of the world locked out until they reached Norway. Randvior twisted the knob and pushed, but she stayed stubbornly locked in position. He banged on the planks and demanded she open the door. If she refused any longer, he’d probably just kick it down. She braced herself for what might happen when he came in and reluctantly stepped aside.

“What happened out there? Did you see a ghost?” he asked, entering the room.

“I would consider myself most fortunate if it was only an apparition taunting me.” She sat on the bed and wringed her hands nervously. “My conscience troubles me.” She raised her eyes to meet his.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. She couldn’t keep herself from sneaking admiring looks at his body. Only flesh and bone, she reminded herself, he’s only flesh and bone. His fine looks did little to relieve her; she was so helplessly riddled with guilt, she didn’t know what to do with herself any more.
He closed the door and moved closer. “Remember the things I told you in England?”

“I remember too much.”

What she really wanted were assurances for her future. She wanted him to vow he would care for her life as loyally as he would his own kinswoman’s. If he wouldn’t make her his wife, he should choose someone else. She needed a husband to protect her interests now. Even an inexperienced adolescent or an old man would do. As long as he had a pulse and a respectable name, she’d accept it. This was the only bargaining chip she had left.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Violetta Rand holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.

Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.

http://www.violettarand.com/

Heiress Bride book tour w/ guest post by Cynthia Woolf

​​Quick Facts
Release Date: March 15th, 2013.
​Genre: Historical, Romance, Western.​
Formats Available for Purchase: Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo.​

Heiress Ella Davenport survived a carriage accident that killed her father. Her life saved in exchange for savage scars marring her beautiful face. Her friends, socialites, showed their true colors, casting Ella from the social circles and leaving her a social pariah. Even her wealth can’t buy her the kind of marriage she wants. Desperate to find a husband who can accept her despite her scars and, without knowing about her money, she seeks to become a mail order bride. Matchmaker & Co. has a new client.

Nathan Ravenclaw was run out of town by the father of the girl he was courting once he discovered Nathan’s Arapaho Indian heritage. It didn’t matter he was a successful rancher, businessman and a positive member of society. The white community suddenly saw only a half-breed. Even his money couldn’t buy him a wife. That was ten years ago. He moved and rebuilt everything that cold rancher took from him except a wife. Matchmaker & Company can get him a wife. But Nathan is not expecting the beauty that waits for him on the train platform. Though he still lacks the ability to trust, he determines that she will be the wife and mother he needs.

Can these two people find love and healing together? Or are their scars too deep to bridge the gap between trust and acceptance?

Thank you to Cynthia Woolf for taking the time to write a guest post for us about her research into mail order brides.

My research into mail order brides

My research was limited to what I could find in books. I was unable to find much on the internet about mail order brides from yesteryear. There was plenty of information on Russian brides if I was looking for one. 
The book of choice for me was HEARTS WEST, True Stories of Mail Order Brides on the Frontier by Chris Enss. There are more than a dozen stories of real mail order brides. Each one is different. Each experience unique.
One of the most interesting to me was the story of Eleanor Berry. On the way to meet her groom and get married, her stage was robbed and then blown up. Before the stage was blown up, she begged one of the bandits to take her luggage off the stage as it contained her trousseau. He obliged. As he was taking down her trunk she noticed a long, jagged scar on his hand.
Eventually, she made it to town and met her groom, a Mr. Louis Dreibelbis. They were quickly married by the local reverend, who also acted as Eleanor’s guardian. After the ceremony they went to sign the marriage certificate. As they did, Eleanor noticed the scar on Louis’ hand. It was the same long, jagged scar as the bandit had that had robbed them.
Upon discovery Louis escaped and took off for parts unknown. Eleanor, so despondent over her marriage, tried to take her own life. She was saved by the reverend and his wife. Though it is not known what happened to Eleanor, I like to believe that she eventually got her own happily ever after.
Another book is called Object Matrimony: The Risky Business of Mail Order Matchmaking on the Western Frontier by Chris Enss. This book chronicles the very real dangers that mail order brides undertook in accepting the proposals of marriage. Everything from getting married to a drunk or wife beater to being sold into prostitution. It wasn’t a safe or guaranteed proposition by any means.
That’s what gave me the idea for Matchmaker & Co. This was a company that vetted its applicants. Checked them out to make sure they were real and were upstanding men. They also check out the brides and make sure the men, who were the actual clients, are getting a good woman, of good character. No drug users or prostitutes need apply.
My matchmaker, Maggie Selby, does her best to actually match the brides and grooms based on what her investigators discover and what the applicants say in their letters. She does a very good job of it and has a 100% success rate.
Nathan Ravenclaw proves to be a challenge to find the right bride for. He is half Arapaho Indian and most white women will not consider marrying him for that reason. It has left him scarred inside and somewhat bitter.
Ella Davenport has survived a horrific carriage accident that left her father dead and her beautiful face scarred. She applied to be a bride, because she would rather marry a stranger, aware of her scars but accepting of them than to have someone marry her out of pity or for her money.
Maggie believes that these two young people are the perfect pair and will be able to help each other heal as well as find their happiness together.


TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY: PRIZE: $50 Amazon Gift Card.a Rafflecopter giveaway


Excerpt:

She arrived in Denver on April 6, 1868. A date she would forever remember as the start of her life. It was almost like another birthday.
The weather was cold with the wind off the plains toward the mountains. The buildings weren’t as tall as in New York, but the wind still whistled between them and over the platform where she stood. She was glad of her good wool coat and lined boots. They kept her warm while she waited for Mr. Ravenclaw to find her. There wasn’t anyone else wearing a veil so she didn’t think he’d have much problem identifying her.
She wasn’t really sure what she expected, but it wasn’t the tall, devastatingly handsome man that approached her. He had a square jaw shaved clean and a tiny dimple in his chin. Black eyebrows slashed over his eyes, the color of which was hidden by the shadow from his hat, pulled low on his head. For once she was glad of her veil. He wouldn’t be able to see her mouth hanging open, gawking at him.
“Miss Davenport?”
“Yes. Are you Mr. Ravenclaw?”
“I am.”
She held out her hand. “Ella Davenport.”
He removed his glove and enveloped her hand in his big one. His fingers brushed the skin of her wrist just above her glove. The tingle that traveled clear to her toes was unexpected and her gaze snapped up to his. She looked up into the most beautiful blue eyes. They seemed to question what was happening between them as much as she did.
He held her hand for what seemed like a lifetime and they simply starred at each other.
“Miss Davenport….”
“Ella. Please.”
“Ella. I would like for you to lift your veil.”
“Are you sure you want to do this in public. It can be…shocking.”
“I’m sure.” He squeezed her hand and then let go.
“Very well.” She lifted the heavy lace, prepared for him to be taken aback by the ugliness of it. She wasn’t prepared for him to lift his hand and gently trace the scar all the way from her left eye over her cheek and down her neck to the top of her collar.
There was no disdain on his face. His blue eyes took in everything and accepted it, but even so he said the last thing she expected.
“You are a very beautiful woman.”
She stood there with her mouth open until he raised her chin with his knuckle.
“Why are you surprised? Surely you have heard the compliment before.”
She shook her head to clear it and find her tongue. “Not since the accident, except from my brother. But he’s biased. He loves me.”
“He but states the obvious. Your scars do not detract from your beauty.”
“I must thank you because good manners dictate it. However, I believe we should see about getting you some glasses.”
He laughed. A rich, deep baritone. “I’m glad you have a sense of humor.”
She stared back at him, incredulous, “Who was joking?”

About The Author:

Cynthia Woolf was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in the mountains west of Golden. She spent her early years running wild around the mountain side with her friends.
Their closest neighbor was one quarter of a mile away, so her little brother was her playmate and her best friend. That fierce friendship lasted until his death in 2006.
Cynthia was and is an avid reader. Her mother was a librarian and brought new books home each week. This is where young Cynthia first got the storytelling bug. She wrote her first story at the age of ten. A romance about a little boy she liked at the time.
She worked her way through college and went to work full time straight after graduation and there was little time to write. Then in 1990 she and two friends started a round robin writing a story about pirates. She found that she missed the writing and kept on with other stories. In 1992 she joined Colorado Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. Unfortunately, the loss of her job demanded she not renew her memberships and her writing stagnated for many years.
In 2001, she saw an ad in the paper for a writers conference being put on by CRW and decided she'd attend. One of her favorite authors, Catherine Coulter, was the keynote speaker. Cynthia was lucky enough to have a seat at Ms. Coulter's table at the luncheon and after talking with her, decided she needed to get back to her writing. She rejoined both CRW and RWA that day and hasn't looked back.
Cynthia credits her wonderfully supportive husband Jim and the great friends she's made at CRW for saving her sanity and allowing her to explore her creativity.

Find more about her at: www.cynthiawoolf.com

THE CHARMED TRILOGY Blog Tour with guest post by Christine Wenrick

THE CHARMED
The Charmed Trilogy, Book 1

“This has to be a dream. This has to be a dream. This has to be a dream.”

Olivia Ann Greyson sees only one future for herself – to compose and perform the music she has loved since she was a child. But that future changes in an instant when a commuter train taking her to the city crashes and is attacked by, unbelievably, a coven of vampires! As the rabid creatures feed their thirst on the surviving passengers, Olivia is spared from an unthinkable fate because of the intervention of another vampire – Caleb Wolfe, a figure from her past who, for reasons he doesn’t understand himself, would do anything to protect her.

After one familiar touch, Olivia recognizes the man behind the vampire. Soon love and a powerful supernatural connection begins to grow between them. But with that connection Olivia starts to notice startling changes happening within herself, and violent events make it clear that the vampire coven which wanted her the night of the train crash won’t stop until they have her.

Time is running out for Olivia and Caleb to discover why all this is happening. And the answers they find may painfully tear their new found love apart.

THE CHARMED will be on sale for ONLY $0.99 from May 13 - 27 on:
Amazon, Smashwords, BN and The iBookstore.

THE CHARMED SOULS
The Charmed Trilogy, Book 2

“It was the blood! The blood was somehow doing this to me!”

Olivia Ann Greyson is a Charmer, a Dhampir with the power to lure the supernatural world’s most dangerous of creatures – and she’s in an impossible situation. She must leave behind Caleb Wolfe, the strong, protective vampire she has fallen madly in love with, in order to learn how to protect herself from the vampires, shifters and demons that will be drawn to her for the rest of her life.
Human Guardian, Alec Lambert, has been assigned to see to Olivia’s training by the organization he belongs to, which is known simply as The Brethren. He takes Olivia to the group’s stronghold in the mountainous regions of Alberta, Canada, where she discovers the answers to her family’s painful past and the extent to which those hunting her will go to capture her. But she also uncovers many secrets and even more questions about this mysterious group she has trusted to protect her – secrets that will have her fighting to get back to the man she left behind.

. . . but will it be too late?

Available now on Amazon, Smashwords, BN and The iBookstore.

THE CHARMED FATES
The Charmed Trilogy, Book 3

“You think you know him better than I do? Interesting . . . and so boringly human.”

Over a year has passed since Olivia Ann Greyson discovered that she is a Charmer, a Dhampir fated to be part of the violent supernatural world that surrounds our human one. In that time, she has strengthened herself physically, learned of her family’s secret past, and found a deep and abiding love with the strongest man she has ever met, Daywalker Caleb Wolfe. But Olivia’s biggest challenge still lies ahead of her . . .

Dark vampire lord Luther Davin has been obsessed with capturing Olivia so he can use her special gifts for his own reasons. As Caleb and Olivia try to make a new life together with their coven, the Nightwalker’s attempts to capture her only intensify and inadvertently bring an unwelcome visitor from Caleb’s past barging back into his life.

She is Caelestis—Celeste to the modern world—and she claims to be Caleb’s first and rightful mate. Although Olivia has grown confident and secure in her relationship with Caleb, she soon realizes that Celeste sees herself as no less than a goddess among mere mortals and will stop at nothing to get Caleb back—which means Olivia herself must die!

When these two threats collide and fate steps in to pull Olivia away from her new family, will she be ready for her darkest hour and her greatest battle?

Available now on Amazon, Smashwords


Christine is giving away a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of The Charmed to one lucky winner that follows the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway




I can't thank Christine enough for taking the time to write us a post about why we think vampires are sexy.

First off I would like to thank Carin and My Reading Obsession for having me here today to talk about my contemporary paranormal trilogy, The Charmed, and about what makes a vampire sexy.
What is it about these pale, unconscionable, bloodsucking demons of the night that so fascinates us as romance readers? Perhaps it’s because they’re not just pale, unconscionable, bloodsucking demons of the night anymore. They can be complex characters that are not entirely evil and . . . not entirely good. In essence, they’re the equivalent of a supernatural bad boy.
How can any woman resist that?
It’s the layers to a character that make for a memorable story, and when you start with a vampire that is conflicted and flawed you have the beginnings of a great romance.
In my Charmed Trilogy, our hero Caleb Wolfe is unbelievably strong, handsome and intelligent in that man-of-few-words-silent-type way that turns every woman’s stomach to the equivalent of silly putty. He’s a new vampire, easily capable of killing, but you empathize with him because the choices for his life were taken away so suddenly. Yet, you expect him to make the right choices going forward to be worthy of our heroine.
Naturally, just like in real life, if men made the right choices all the time there wouldn’t be much conflict for a story, especially a story that spans over three books. But bad choices can lead to some good twists and unexpected surprises.
I hope you will check out my Charmed Trilogy and see in Caleb why vampires are so sexy to you.



The Charmed is book one in The Charmed Trilogy these books really do need to be read in order to make sense so best start with this one :O)

Olivia is a young adult who has a gift for piano and has been visited by tragedy in her young life. She is a spunky, self effacing heroine who has no idea that her life is all about to change in very dramatic ways.

Caleb is young as far as vampires go, he is all about maintaining control of the monster within him and has learned to drink without killing. He rescues Olivia and is charmed by her from the start.

The world created by Christine Wenrick for the Charmed Trilogy is extremely well done, giving us a whole new take on how some vampires can walk during the day. We have good vampires and bad ones, your obligatory fanatical anti-vampire group, and a cast of secondary characters that really make the book that much better. I must say as much as I like the story between Caleb and Olivia I am hoping that in the second or third book we get to explore the relationship between Jax and Gemma.

With minor sex scenes this is a pretty tame book but the love and fire between the characters is still there.





About the Author:
Christine is a graduate of Washington State University where she received a BA in Interior Design. And true to form of using mostly her ‘right brain’, she splits her time between her commercial design career and her imaginary world of writing. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her Charmed Trilogy. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader because she herself is such a lover of reading. Some of her favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Kimberly Derting.

To keep up on all the latest information about Christine and her books, visit her website or you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.




Christine Wenrick's The Charmed Trilogy Tour Schedule
May 13 - 27

5/13- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

5/13- My Reading Obsession (guest post & review)

5/14- Ramblings From This Chick (guest post)

5/14- HEA Romances With A Little Kick (series spotlight & reviews)

5/15- Red Hot Books (interview and reviews)

5/16- Book Lovin' Mamas (interview, series spotlight and reviews)

5/17- Romance Junkies (interviews)

5/17- Froggarita's Book Case ( series spotlight, excerpt & reviews)

5/18- Mad Hatter Reads (guest post)

5/18- Reading Between the Wines (guest post)

5/19- Toot's Books Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)

5/20- Cocktails and Books (interview & reviews)

5/20- Salacious Reads (Series Spotlight)

5/21- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)

5/21- Buffy's Ramblings (guest post)

5/21- GraveTells (guest post)

5/22- Paranormal Book Club (series spotlight)

5/22- Reader Girls (guest post & reviews)

5/22- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 2)

5/23- Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My! (guest post)

5/23- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)

5/24- Riverina Romantics (guest post)

5/25- The Reading Cafe (guest post & reviews)

5/26- The Jeep Diva (interview & reviews)

5/27- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight)

5/27- Bookin' It Reviews (series spotlight)

ELVEN BLOOD by Debra Dunbar

Sam may be the Iblis, but she is also an imp with a price on her head. The powerful demon Haagenti won’t rest until she’s dragged back to Hel for “punishment”. Sam knows she can’t face Haagenti and win, so when an Elf Lord offers to eliminate the demon in return for her help, Sam accepts. It’s a simple job – find and retrieve a half-breed monster dead or alive. But finding this demon/elf hybrid isn’t proving easy and time is running out.

Debra will be awarding an e-book copy of A DEMON BOUND (book 1 in the Imp Series) to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a grand prize of a Kindle Fire with an ELVEN BLOOD book cover skin to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).

Remember to follow the tour and comment often for your best chance at winning. Follow the tour HERE



I want to thank Debra for taking the time to write a guest post for us.

Thanks for having me as a guest today! When I received my assignment, to write on “why we find elves sexy”, I’ll admit I did some thinking. Elves don’t top my list of Supernaturals I’d Like to Boink. I tend to prefer those bitey vamps (necrophilia aside), and men who howl at the moon (bestiality probably isn’t much better), but elves? They always seem to be arrogant and rather bigoted when it comes to associating with other races. Not just in my novel either- Tolkien’s elves also act superior and snooty. So why would I get it on with an elf? Here are my top ten reasons:
1. One With Nature – Elves have a profound relationship with the natural world. They seem to truly understand what the trees are saying, and what it means to be a sparrow. That closeness with their environment is very appealing.
2. Great Wisdom – Elves live a long time (in my books for tens of thousands of years). That longevity gives them the kind of wisdom about events and happenings that we humans with our short lives can’t see- kind of a birds-eye-view on life. Knowledge is sexy.
3. Unobtainable “Movie-Star” Distance – That haughty demeanor can be a real draw. Igniting passion in someone who seems far beyond our reach is a rush. Scoring an elf is like winning the Pulitzer Prize – yeah, baby! (fist pump)
4. Magic – Whether it’s communicating with animals, opening up a gate to another dimension, or chanting to protect someone from evil ghouls, it’s all hot!
5. Great Bods - I don’t know if it’s their diet, or a high metabolism, but I’ve yet to see a fat elf. They all have lean, rocking bodies that appear to advantage in those tight pants. And they are clean. Even after a ten day march through the sweltering marshes, they look fresh and hygienic. I’ll bet their breath still smells minty too.
6. Awesome Hair - Yes, hair that Fabio would envy. Elves have long, flowing locks. Thick and shiny, in an intricate, braided do, or cascading across their shoulders, elven hair is just much a draw as those beautiful almond shaped eyes.
7. Parties – Elves throw incredible parties. No wonder everyone is constantly tromping through the woods, trying to crash them. The bonfires, the wine, the singing and dancing, the feasting – count me in!
8. Excellent Bakers and Toymakers – This may be a stereotype, but personally I love a man who is good with his hands. A guy who can make an X-Box out of paperclips and scrap metal, and whip me up a box of Fudge Stripes cookies is more than halfway to my heart.
9. Great Hunt – This is right at the top of my list for a good reason. I adore horseback riding, and foxhunting. Admittedly, the elves actually kill whatever (or whomever) they are hunting, while we just chase it around, but I’m willing to overlook this. Honestly, a guy who looks great on horseback sends my heart racing. This alone would make me melt.
10. Ears – I’m not really an ear fetish sort of gal, but who can resist running a finger (or a tongue) along a sensitive ear, especially one with a sweet point at the top?
Okay, so maybe I’ve changed my mind. They may not have that animal appeal, or drink my blood, but that’s fine with me. Elves are sexy, I agree.


Excerpt:

Leethu was on my sofa with a bottle of vodka in one hand and a carton of milk in the other, alternating swigs of the beverages as she watched the morning news. I put on a pot of coffee, because I knew she hadn’t the foggiest idea how to work the machine, then went up to shower. My room was trashed. Despite my edict, the succubus had slept in my bed, gone through every drawer, dumped out half the contents of my bathroom toiletries. I was beginning to rethink my hospitality.

“Are you heading out somewhere today,” I asked her before I left. “Dance club? Biker bar? Grocery store?” She was going to destroy my house from boredom if she didn’t get out and incite orgies somewhere soon.

“The angels will get me if I leave. I’ll just hang here and watch porn. Don’t worry about me at all.”

I did worry about her; and my house. I made a mental note to pick up more booze on my way home, and see if I could grab some smutty magazines. Maybe I’d hook her up with an Internet chat room later. That might entertain her for a while.

Leaving Leethu to her pay-per-view porn, I headed in to Frederick to lose myself in the joy of rent collecting.


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Debra Dunbar lives on a farm in the northeast United States with her husband, three boys, and a Noah’s ark of four legged family members. Her urban fantasy novels feature supernatural elements in local settings. In addition to A DEMON BOUND, SATAN’S SWORD, and ELVEN BLOOD, she has also published a short story erotica series titled NAUGHTY MOM. Connect with her on Twitter @debra_dunbar on Facebook at debradunbarauthor, and on her website at http://debradunbar.com .

A DEMON BOUND | SATAN’S SWORD

ASSUMED CALLING by Lila Munro

Lila will be awarding a Godiva Chocolates gift basket worth at least $35.00 to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Be sure to follow the tour HERE the more places you comment the better your odds of winning.

Like the beat of a primal drum whispering the rhythm of an ancient dance, the lifestyle calls…

At the seasoned age of fifty-six, Allen Bourke has resigned himself to the fact he’ll probably never find someone to top he can also love. While he’s had wives and lovers, none of them endured and he’s come to the conclusion the clock’s ticking and age is working against him. Then a very intriguing Nicki Cartwright pings on his radar at what Allen determines will be his last house party. He can’t help but notice while he and his friends are getting older, the players emerging on the scene are forever getting younger. Nicki's no exception. Determined to resist the vibes humming between them, he only agrees to service her after his old friend, Kyle Montgomery, convinces him it's entirely feasible. Then it’s brought to Allen’s attention who Nicki really is. Knowing their pasts are forever intertwined, as hard as he tries to ignore his heart, he finds himself yielding to the tides of fate.

Born to senatorial royalty, Nicki Cartwright has spent her entire life trying to shield her mother from her father’s wrath while drifting further and further into a world where panic is normal and anxiety is always on the edge of her reality. Tired of burning the candle at both ends and forever trying to live up to the picture of All-American perfection her father James Cartwright touts as his ace in the hole during election cycles, Nicki finds herself on the path of self-discovery in search of relief from the stressors continually swamping her mind. What she doesn’t expect is to find who she thought she was is truly just a shadow of the person she really is. And what scares her most is the fact Allen, the only person she thought she could trust, has been holding a secret since before she was born which could destroy her entire family.

When given the chance to have Lila Munro come on the blog and tell us more about her research methods I was beyond excited I am endlessly fascinated by the process authors use to write the books I love to read. Thank you Lila

Good morning readers! And thank you to my host for having me here today. I’m very appreciative and happy to be here. I was perfectly delighted when I saw the topic I was asked to talk about today. It’s something near and dear to me and I’ve been asked many times about it. Although, at times the question has gone even further and at other times my husband and I have both been barraged with questions concerning our private life. :O)

Research. I have to be honest. I’m probably one of the few people you’ll ever encountered who ponies up to loving research. I really don’t understand the writer who doesn’t like research for it’s curiosity which drives me and I can’t fathom it doesn’t drive every writer. And quite truthfully, when a writer doesn’t do his or her research it shows. I’ve tossed aside more than one book myself for lack of plausible story line and a smattering of miscues and falsehoods. This happens to me a lot when I try to read military romance. Having been married to the military for most of my adult life, it’s pretty hard to fool me.

So, my research methods. Well, just let me assure you, they are many, varied, and go way beyond Google. Google is a great tool, don’t get me wrong, but it definitely doesn’t take the place of experience. And the experience doesn’t have to be your own. I’ve read many, many times write what you know. And I do for the most part. I know the military and have an endless bounty of contacts so my military facts are always correct. If I miscue one, it’s purposeful. And that’s the key to this. Contacts. It’s also where the experience comes in which can’t be found in the annals of Google. Talking to a real live person, observing them, asking them questions, trying for yourself what they’re showing you…nothing can replace that as a research tool.

I’m sure when I’m asked this question in regards to the BDSM aspects of my stories, most would expect me to either avoid the question altogether or profess whatever my direct involvement might be. People are curious creatures and it seems that curiosity doubles when it comes to what a writer does or doesn’t do in their own lives. Well, I’m not going to avoid the question as to where I find my information. I have a few very close friends who are living in various stages of the lifestyle. Some are individuals who also share my life in the military, others are people I met through them. Some live in close proximity, some are far away. Two are in the mid-west, one being my closest military friend whose husband is now retired. And although I don’t divulge their identities for privacy sake, I can tell you they’ve taught me everything I know. Do I use creative license at times? Of course I do. I’m a writer.  Do places like Steele Image really exist? To some capacity, but due to real time laws and regulations the rules in real life aren’t nearly as flexible as I make them in my stories. But we do need a bit of fantasy element in our stories, right? But the basic concepts are always obeyed.

My research methods don’t just stop with getting the BDSM aspects correct. Recently a character revealed himself to me one morning in the shower. He’s the first character who has approached me with a devastating war injury. In order to understand him better I’m currently in contact with a physical therapist who’s answering my questions as I go. I also have a contact in Okinawa, Japan who’s helping me with a character who’s a prostitute from there.

When I need to know something I don’t waste time or guess. I go directly to the source. And I suppose my madness may go beyond natural human curiosity or the drive to get it right. I was a journalism student at one point and ultimately attained a degree in sociology. The need to know runs heavy in my veins and so sorry Google, you’re just not enough for me. :O)
Thanks again for having me here today. And readers let’s chat. How do you feel about the facts? Do you ever feel like a writer fell short by obviously not doing their research?


Excerpt:

“Mom’s not with James in Vermont,” Nicki blurted as if she’d been holding the information for so long it was about to eat her alive. “In fact, she’s been out of the public eye for a while now. So far my father’s handlers have been able to convince the press she’s been away visiting family or busy writing her memoirs in private while they’re on vacation. The truth is, only one of those numbers is my therapist. The rest are her doctors. At Cedar Ridge…” She trailed off, a tear rolling down her cheek to meet Allen’s right thumb as he stroked along the corner of her mouth. “She’s an inpatient. He finally ran her crazy and she’s being treated for a psychosis and chemical dependency on prescription meds and alcohol.”

“Can I have something a little stronger? Than water?”

Nicki’s seemingly innocuous question came back to mock Allen. Although there were no signs she was hooked on anything in her apartment, not all addicts failed to hide the evidence. Some were closeted so carefully nothing short of a complete breakdown outed them.

“And you? Do you share your mother’s problems?” he asked.

“I’m not a drunk and I don’t pop pills,” she snapped, anger overtaking her features and overshadowing her fear.

“I wasn’t trying to offend you, Nicki. But I need to know these things. I like you, but we can’t play if I don’t have all the cards face up and I’m too old to allow some things into my life no matter how much I like someone. So if there’s anything I need to know, now would be a good time to spill it. And. I. Mean. Everything.”



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012-2013 and has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13.
Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at:

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You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com ,

and you can find all her works at:

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Guest Post Love 101: Learning To Love by Sylvia Hubbard‏

Title: Love 101: Learning To Love
Series: Mistaken Identity #2
Author: Sylvia Hubbard
Genre: Erotic Noir,
Publisher: Self Published
Format: Ebook
Pages: 172

Prudish school teacher, Cheyenne, loses a bet with her students and is forced to wear her student's uniform.

On the same day, she meets the devilishly gorgeous Evan Crane who is desperately lost and needs "assistance" getting home. Fighting his attraction to who is think is just a high school student, Evan finds he needs her help.

Deciding to take advantage of his weakness and her own mounting attraction to him, Cheyenne kisses Evan.

That's when her plan to just tease the stranger becomes a chance for her to live out her own reckless fantasy.

Yet, when the tables are turned and she reaps what she has sown, Cheyenne has to make a choice to forgive Evan and overcome her own fears or miss out on the most perfect love any woman could ever have.

Sequel to Love 101 (included in Prologue) and the continuing saga of Mistaken Identity series.

Purchase:

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I want to thank Sylvia for agreeing to write up a guest post for us. Take it away Sylvia...

Your protaganist's Conflicts: Drama, Deterrents & Damned!

Definition of Conflict: The struggle within a plot between opposing forces.

I learned about conflict when I first entered college.

You see I always equate the dumb things I’ve done in life to learning experiences in my writing.

In college, I did a lot of dumb things.

I mean, I guess I was supposed to because I was away from my parents, on my own, hanging with wild and crazy people and loving every second of it.

So there, I got my “experience” in at that time, but I also learned about conflict.

In conflict, I learned during the midst of the worst, it’s really hard to see the silver lining and sometimes it feels like there’s no way out.

I felt like that a lot. All around me was drama, deterrents and situations so awful, one would just look at it and say, "Damn!"

So many conflicts, I really was blind to positivity, resolutions or a way out until I started writing seriously again.

That was after college.

In writing, I learned I could see things more clearly and see the end to the problems in my stories and in my life.

Writing saved me. Writing help me see.

I know that sounds strange, but it’s true.

On with the lesson.

In a writer's story as in life, the protagonist is usually going through several “conflicts” at the time.

No one ever goes through one problem at a time in REAL life, so you have to remember the list of conflicts your protagonist must go through.

Conflict can go :

1. against another person
2. against nature
3. against society
4. against machine
5. against God
6 against him/herself

In these general conflicts, various things can rage.

Like in the first Mistaken Identity book, Dana had a family conflict with her twin sister, the deception she was doing to her brother in law, and in the midst of the story she had a conflict with what society would deem as abnormal.

In the second book of the Mistaken series, Love 101, Cheyenne had a conflict with herself, with her job and and against society.

On a side note, I think I do a lot of stories where society will have a conflict with the decisions my protaganist will have to make. I think as a human being this makes life more interesting when you're not conforming to the rules or norms of what society has and living happy despite the conflict.

Now I usually don’t do more than three conflicts. I’ve seen where writers try to get all of them in to make the story longer, but I found with a great deal fo research length in a story takes care of itself.

Resolving Conflict.

Writers MUST resolve ALL conflicts protagonist has. Nothing gets a reader's goat when the all resolutions to the conflicts haven't been address.

I found the reader to be much happier when you do give resolution.

Writers, please do not end a story without doing so, or tell the reader it’s going to be in another book. If you’re an avid reader, as much as you are a writer, (which you should be) you ought to understand that can piss someone off.

(sorry for the language.)

Now in series, there are SOME exceptions to the rules, but that goes into a lot deeper explaination.

Oh-kay, that’s enough on the writing tip for the day.

I hope I've added something to help you understand conflicts whether you're a reader or a writer!

RESOURCES:

To help map out conflicts. I found this great chart about conflict:

courtesy of http://www.chinoisdefrance.com


This is tour wide for a eBook copy of Love 101: Learning To Love by Sylvia Hubbard. Ends 02/21/2013
Check out the other blogs on the tour HERE

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About the Author:

Sylvia Hubbard knew she’d wanted to be a writer of romance long before she knew there were black writers in the world. Weaving stories magically as a summer past time to writing stories to get through the humdrum of school, she was able to create something from nothing.

Today, she has independently published over 28 books, is the founder of Motown Writers Network and The AA Electronic Literary Network, CEO of HubBooks Literary Services, runs over five blogs on a variety of subjects, host The Michigan Literary Network Radio Show and is a happily divorced mother of three children in Detroit, Michigan.

“I’m no superwoman,” she states with a smile that seems infinite on her lips. “I’m just being an asset in the world instead of a liability.”

Considered an addicted blogger by HoneyTechblog.com, nominated and recognized for her literary work in the Metro Detroit area, referred to as “A Literary Diva” by Detroit City Council and donned “Cliffhanger Queen” by her readers, she finds solace in speaking and educating on a variety of topics.

Her subjects range from Social Media, Internet Marketing, Creative Intimacy, Single Parenting, Blogging, E-Books, Publishing (all aspects i.e.: writing, publishing, marketing & promoting online & offline), and personal triumphs with inspiration mixed in.

Never a disappointment, Sylvia Hubbard, has spoken in front of thousands all over the United States and Canada and has been an Amazon Bestseller.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon |

For The Love of Sara Guest Post by Hazel Statham

Looking for the vampire vs werewolf blog hop? HERE

How many times can a heart be broken? How many times can love be denied? Sarah and Alexander were destined for each other but after just four short weeks of marriage, their lives were torn asunder.

Alexander, Earl of Thorne thought he had found his ideal mate but, when Sarah absconded shortly after their marriage, his world came crashing down. Now, five years later, he discovers her in a remote Yorkshire village.

Sarah had thought she was safe, but when, severely injured in a freak accident, her husband is thrust once more into her life, she fears her dark secrets and the fact she has a son, will become known.

Despite her own desperate longings, she continually repudiates Alexander’s efforts of reconciliation. However, fate conspires against her, and when her home is made uninhabitable by floods, she and her young son are forced to accept his aid and return to her former home.

Discovery threatens and, despite her breaking heart, she plans to leave Alexander’s life. What is this secret that makes it so imperative that she should abscond from him yet again? Can two broken hearts cleave and emerge victorious or will life's cruel forces tear them apart forever?

First I want to thank Ms. Statham for being on the blog today. When I asked Hazel Statham to write a post for the blog I asked her why she writes romance set in the regency period. This is her answer...

Why Regency

For me, writing in the Regency period has always been easy. It has often been joked that I was born in the wrong century as my writing voice is of that period.
I find I have an empathy for those times, especially during the time of the Peninsular Wars. You will find many of my stories relate to this period in British history. I find it difficult to explain my ‘feel’ and knowledge of the era but I suppose it relates to the fact that I have devoured Regency and other historical books from my early teens. Georgette Heyer has always been a great inspiration to me and nothing pleases me more than when my work is likened to hers.

However, in writing Regency it’s important to get it ‘right’. It’s the author’s responsibility to create a feel of the early nineteenth century. If I state facts, they are as accurate as I can make them and the use of traditional speech patterns also helps to create an atmosphere. Over the years many words have changed their meaning and usage so it is important not to give a modern day feel to the dialogue.
Romance itself has changed very little over the years but one must observe the mores of the day. To me, it is wrong to transpose the morals of today’s world onto earlier eras.

I am fascinated by the romance and elegance of the Regency period and this is what I hope to recreate in my work. So much emotion can be conveyed with merely a glance or a word.

I write Traditional Regency Romance and close the bedroom door when my hero and heroine retire. In true Regency tradition, the romance is in the characters and situations I create. I don’t write to a formula but there is humor and pathos and sometimes heart-rending situations, but always there is a happy ending.

If I succeed in bringing the era alive in my readers imagination and even for only a moment transport them into this wonderful time in history, then I am delighted to share my Regency world with them.

Excerpt:

His body felt numb as consciousness slowly returned. He could hear the rumble of the cart wheels and was aware that they moved, but he felt no sensation in his body. His eyes opened and she was there. For a brief moment, his senses refused to comprehend the fact and confusion reigned.

Sarah’s breathing caught as she felt the shock of his eyes upon her. She knew not what to say or how to respond.

“Why?” was all he said, his voice, full of confusion, scarcely above a whisper.

She understood his question but had no words of explanation to offer. Now was not the time for the confrontation that must surely come. Instead, she deflected his question and concentrated on the immediate situation. Leaning close to him she asked, “Do you have pain?”

He moved his head from side to side in silent negation. “I feel nothing.”

“I’m taking you to my home, and the doctor has been called,” she said.

He drifted into unconsciousness once more and she wondered what damage had been wreaked on his frame by the heavy cask.

The cart halted before a riverside cottage with thatched roof, situated on the northbound road. A well-tended garden with a low stone wall separated it from the roadway, but the gate remained open. Hastily dismounting from the cart, she hurried to her front door.

“Rose! Rose!” Sarah called as she entered the small hallway. A round motherly figure instantly appeared from the parlor.

“It’s my husband and he’s injured,” Sarah offered in hasty explanation.

Rose’s eyes widened. “Your husband? Here? What shall we do?”

Sarah remained calm. “We shall tend to his injuries,” she said, holding the door.


Hazel will be awarding winner's choice of either a Cream Coin Freshwater Pearl necklace or a digital copy of DOMINIC or HIS SHADOWED HEART (international giveaway) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

To increase your chances of winning follow the tour HERE the more places you comment the better your odds of winning.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Hazel Statham began writing at the age of fifteen, finally committing to paper the stories she spun as a child. Writing has been her passion ever since, although marriage, motherhood, and career left time for little else. Once she retired, however, she was able to devote herself to writing full-time, publishing her first novel in 2007. A long time student of history, she writes mainly in the Regency and Georgian eras, though she has been known to dabble in the medieval as well. She lives in Staffordshire, England, with her husband, Terry, and their beloved yellow Labrador, Mollie.

Hazel loves to hear from her readers and promises to answer all mail.

Website address www.hazel-statham.co.uk

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