Sunday, October 12, 2014

Cover Reveal

Diamond Heiress by Ruth Roberts: 



Interview with Ruth Roberts:

How long have you been writing?

The very first time I remember writing a story was in high school. It was a historical romance, I had just discovered Victoria Holt and was addicted from the first book.  My dream was to write just like her, so I started writing. My English Teacher loved it. She wanted to try to have it published, but my family moved before the end of the school year and that story was lost. I didn’t write again until about seven years ago when I started doing it as a hobby.

Why did you choose the genre you write?

My husband says I am a romantic, and I suppose I am a because I believe in true love and I am a sucker for a happy ending. The romance genre is the only one where I am guaranteed both. I want my readers to have a smile on their face when they finish one of my books. 

Do you work off an outline or just wing it?

Definitely wing it. I’ve tried using an outline but they restrict me and I get stuck. I prefer to let my characters write their story, I usually know where they will end up but I let the journey develop as I write it. I have so much more fun that way. 

What is your writing goal – how many books of yours would you like to see published?

As many as possible, I can’t even put a number on it! As for my goal, I want to be Judith McNaught when I grow up. I want my stories and characters to come alive and stay with the reader long after they’ve finished one of my books, just as hers do. 

If your latest romance was made into a movie, which actors would you pick for the role of your hero and heroine? 

Nick would definitely be played by Shemar Moore, but he would have to wear gray contacts to match Nick’s liquid silver gaze. Alexis Bledel would make a perfect Brielle.  
What did you find was the hardest or most difficult part in your path to becoming an author?
The uncertainty that anything I wrote would be good enough to be read and liked by others. It took me a long time before I searched out critique partners because I was afraid my writing was terrible.  When I finally did they did so much to boost my confidence and help me to improve my writing skills. They were invaluable in my path to publication. 

Tell me a little about your novel. 

Diamond Heiress is about a beautiful, rich and spoiled young lady, Brielle Santorini, who is appointed as CEO of her grandfathers company after he dies. She has lived a life of luxury and amusement until that point, so she has no idea how to run an International Jeweler. But, she isn’t dumb or naïve, she is very intelligent. Being abandoned at the age of three by her mother and her father died gave her trust issues that she is dealing with.
Nick Trenton was John Santorini’s protégé. He expected to be named CEO of Santorini after John died, instead Brielle took that position. This makes him angry and he does everything in his power to get rid of her so that he can run the company his father helped build. Until he gets to know her and sees what an amazing, sweet and capable person she is.  
They now have to run this company together to keep their families legacies strong. But, when their hearts get involved it becomes a much harder task.  

Author Bio:


Romance novelist Ruth Roberts lives in the Big D, where city life abounds but the wide open spaces Texas is famous for are within easy reach. Her books transport readers to the glittering life of high-society, while making the character normal, fun people we would all like to have as friends. She loves reading, writing and Gilmore Girls. She and her teenage daughter call themselves the real life Gilmore Girls. Her very own romantic hero of twenty years is her greatest inspiration and support. She loves hearing from fans so drop her an email at ruthrobertsromance@yahoo.com


Monday, September 15, 2014

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Who likes to read? Since this is a book blog, I'm assuming you do! Well, I have some news for you: 

Starting Sunday the 21st, Sweetly Clean Romances will not only be hosting a week long daily takeover and spotlight, but also will give you a chance to win a prize pack of 14 books by some great authors!!! Yep, that's right! You'll have a daily chance to win 14 books to add to your library. 

You're excited now, aren't you? 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Cover Reveal

Unlovable is now an audiobook!! If you click here you can get the audiobook for free with a 30 day free trial of Audible on Amazon!! You can't beat free!!

Along with the release of the audiobook, I've redesigned the covers of the first two books in the Port Fare series. ( I'm designing covers now. Click here and check them out!) To celebrate the new look, I am giving away paperback copies of the entire series. 
Here is the new cover for Unlovable. I didn't change it too much because I really loved the original one. (Thank you, Paul Beeley), but another author came out with almost the exact same cover, including the coloring :'(

I kept the girl on the swing because she fits Maggie's story perfectly, though I did add flowers to the swing. The rest has been changed completely. I love the blues and pinks, and I've always wanted a moon on the cover. I also added Maggie's trailer in the background!

                                                         

                                                             Here is the eBook cover:

And this is the Paperback
     This is the audio book cover.

 This is the new cover for Unbelievable! It's a real change. I feel this cover fits the story so much better. Lilah feels trapped by her domineering father and his demands. She desperately wants to break free...can't tell you anymore or I'll spoil the story ;) I feel this new cover portrays Lilah and what she is going through in a much stronger way, and it seems to fit in better with the other covers. While I loved the old cover, and had a huge say in its design, (Thank you again, Paul) it seemed out of place with book one & three's covers. This one holds the same "feel," if you will.
Here is the Ebook cover:
And this is the paperback
Unbearable's cover didn't really change, only the back was updated.

So, what do you think??



Sherry's Web page

Sherry's Goodreads page



Purchase links:







Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Blog Tour

cool TWCS logo

PRESENTS. . .


A Cover Reveal

for

Wrong Place, Right Time

by Brooke Williams

Wrong-Place-Right-Time-Hi-Res-Cover

Release Date: December 9 , 2014


SUMMARY

Wrong-Place-Right-TimePaperback-eBook

As the bumbling town TV traffic reporter, Kate Covington is a constant source of entertainment, but Kate sticks with her dead end job because of her love for news anchor Brian Schaffer. When Brian spontaneously runs off to marry his high school sweetheart, Kate panics and quickly follows. She finds herself in a Las Vegas wedding chapel, desperate to tell her best friend how she feels before he makes a huge mistake and marries the wrong person. The mistake, however, is all Kate’s.

As the scorned bride runs back down the short aisle, Kate quickly realizes she just interrupted the wrong wedding. The would-be groom, Chad Leida, explains the predicament Kate has caused him…he needs to marry before turning 30 in order to inherit his family fortune…and he no longer has a bride.

When Chad asks Kate to marry him and promises her a million dollars for a year of her time, Kate isn’t sure what to do. She has a great deal of debt to her name due to caring for her ailing grandmother, but she also doesn’t want to let go of the idea of love and marriage going together.

Kate’s impulsive decision changes her entire lifestyle…and her ideas about love. From Las Vegas to San Francisco and even to the Midwestern city of Omaha, Kate learns that even when she turns up in the Wrong Place, sometimes it is at just the Right Time.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR



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Brooke Williams is an award-winning author and freelance writer. She has written hundreds of articles as well as several novels, including Someone Always Loved You and Beyond the Bars. Brooke has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morningside College, with a double major in Mass Communications and Religious Studies. She has twelve years of experience in radio broadcasting, both behind the scenes and on-air. She was also a television traffic reporter for a brief time. Brooke and her husband Sean married in 2002 and have two daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie.

 

CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR


 
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Blog Tour

Monday, September 8, 2014

Blog Tour Stop


The Test of Time 

by Nicole Zoltack


BLURB: 
Katia jumps at the chance to go to England with her best friend after Rose ditches her deadbeat boyfriend. While walking through the market, she spies a large mansion and recognizes the guy out front as her high school friend Tony. Just as they start to reconnect, Katia passes through times and lands in the arms of Lord Landon, who looks like Tony but certainly doesn’t act like him.
Soon, Katia learns that this 1815 is different from the one in history books. Trapped in a parallel world, Katia struggles to not fall for Landon but his charm proves too much for her. Just when she is about to confess her love for him, Katia travels through time yet again.
The course of love never did run smooth and if Katia can’t figure out and master the test of time, she’ll never see or friends again, or worse, never be reunited with Landon.





BIO: Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. To learn more about Nicole and her writing, visit http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Blog Tour Stop

Lady Quill Chronicles - Tour Banner


BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – The Promise (book #1) The Vow (book #2)
SERIES – The Lady Quill Chronicles
AUTHOR – D.D. Chant
GENRE – Historical Fiction/romance/adventure/mystery
PUBLICATION DATE – 3rd March 2012 / 28th July 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 95.620 words / 108.290 words
PUBLISHER – Self-Publish
COVER ARTIST – D.D. Chant

BOOK SYNOPSIS (The Promise & The Vow)

The Promise Cover
Dear Reader,
I wish to tell you a tale that began with a promise destined to change the lives of many.
When only a child, Lady Adele of Berron lost her family during a dreadful battle and was betrothed to a stranger.
Lord Rafe of Valrek, only a boy himself when the battle of Calis raged, grew to be a feared warrior and trusted advisor to his King. But sadness filled his past and Adele served only to remind him of all he had lost.
However the promise that bound these two together caused great anger to some.
What, Dear Reader, happened in those days of treachery and darkness? Incline your ear that I may whisper the secrets that you so desire to hear......
Lady Quill


The Vow - Book Cover
Dear Reader,
My next story begins with Velrek, where Lord Rafe and Lady Adele's arrival was cause for much celebration and rejoicing.
However Finan of Gournay, Rafe's foster brother and the captain of Valreks army, could not help a lingering feeling of worry.
Were Rafe and Adele truly safe from Lord Kyule's hate?
Adding to Finan's problems was the unsettling presence of Rafe's sister, Lady Esme. Used to keeping his distance from the woman of Valrek, Finan found that he could no longer escape as before.
As danger and treachery enveloped Valrek, Finan and Esme found themselves drawn together to fight the shadowy assailant that threatened the lives of those they loved.
What secrets would they unearth in their search for the enemy that taunted them?
Would they find that their stories were more closely linked than either of them ever knew?
Allow me please to answer these questions...
Lady Quill
AvailableOnAmazonSmashwords


BUY & TBR LINKS



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EXCERPT (The Promise)

Rafe watched as Adele pushed a wisp of hair back from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. She was unaware of his eyes upon her, all her attention was on the robin that hopped about on the frozen earth, pecking at the crumbs she had scattered for it.
She must be tired, she had to be. Eda was even now asleep, curled up in the shelter of a fallen log. It was Eda who had begged for rest, for food, but never once had Adele demanded anything, no word of complaint had passed her lips. Still he was uneasy.
Adele and Eda had talk in a desultory manner, but there had been silence between himself and her for too long. At first he had not noticed, his head was too full of plans and worries for him to spare a thought for conversation. But for a long while he had been conscious of the deafening silence between them and had been made uncomfortable by it.
That was strange in itself because he had been used to long marches from an early age and had never found the quiet awkward before. Certainly he had never voluntarily conversed with any lady not related to him. He was surprised to find that the hush had become oppressive and longed for her to say something, however inconsequential, to show him that she was not upset by his having ignored her for so long. Maybe he should talk to her, but he could think of nothing to say.
The robin, encouraged by Adele’s stillness and enticed by the crumbs, bravely moved a little nearer. Adele smiled breaking another piece of rye bread and crumbling it between her fingers before dropping them to the floor. The robin fluttered away nervously and Adele laughed.
“’Tis only crumbs, you silly thing.”
The robin cocked its head to one side, regarding her speculatively from one beady eye before hopping a little nearer. He was so close that Rafe could see with incredible clarity the overlapping feathers on his bright red chest and he realised that he had never really looked at a robin before, not really looked.
“He’s a handsome fellow, isn’t he?”
Rafe was startled to hear Adele’s warm and friendly voice. He looked up to find her regarding him from wide, clear eyes.
“Welcome back to the land of the living, you were gone a long time you know.” She was still smiling, there was no reproach in her words.
“I was thinking,” answered Rafe apologetically. “Forgive me, I have not been very good company for you.”
“You are worried,” shrugged Adele. “I only hope that you have found some solution to the problem that vexes you so. It is not pleasant to be always troubled.” She scattered a few more crumbs for the waiting robin. “You know, this little fellow reminds me of a passage in the Bible.” Adele smiled again. “When Jesus was teaching upon the Mount of Olives and he said to take a lesson from the lilies of the field because they neither toil nor spin but even Solomon in all his glory was not comparable to one of them.” Her serene eyes drifted up to meet his gaze. “’Tis true; for I have never yet seen a fabric that could equal this little robin redbreast.”
Rafe stared hard into her softly unfocused eyes for some moments.
“You are a very unusual girl.”
The words slipped from his mouth before he could check them. Adele’s eyes met his and, for the first time in the short while he had known her, he saw that they were clouded with uncertainty.
It had been meant as a compliment, in his own mind it had been a praising description, although it was true that he never meant to speak the words out loud. It seemed that although she might well be unusual, she did have one thing in common with the rest of her sex. That was the belief that in a woman, unusual was not an epithet to aspire to. She had taken the comment to be little better than a slight and was embarrassed, he could tell.
It was with some surprise that he discovered that he would have given a great deal to unsay those words, or to come into possession of others that would assure her of his meaning. But he had none.
He knew not how to converse with women, although there were many who would have refuted that statement. Rafe was held as a favourite with ladies, they thought him charming, attentively courteous and yet still retaining that elusive air of reckless danger.
Rafe had never been easy in their company, it had rendered him silent. Strangely enough this silence had the effect of inspiring admiration in female hearts and these ladies believed that his lack of words had betrayed a great depth of emotion and sympathy.
Gradually he had learnt to suffer the discomfort he felt in their presence stoically. He had never found their conversation particularly interesting, but then again he had not found it to be fraught with as many difficulties as conversation with Adele so often was. Indeed these ladies would have said, had they been asked, that it was possible to converse with Lord Rafe in complete openness.
Rafe was innately polite and had always listened to their prattle in well concealed boredom, leaving them with the impression that he was a wonderfully sensitive man, with whom a lady could always enjoy a deep and meaningful conversation in which the souls of the principals had been poured out with unrestrained and frank honesty. The fact that Lord Rafe rarely said a word, but listened in silence while the Lady in question divested herself of her opinions on every subject under the sun, completely escaped them. This left said Lady with the impression that Rafe were something of a fountain of wisdom.
Thankfully there had never been the need to say very much, for it had often been his reflection that ladies were quite capable of holding a conversation without the participation of a second party. In fact they seemed vaguely put out when one interrupted them half way through their monologue.
It was different with Adele, she required active participation. To her conversation was to learn about others, not discussing, at length and in great detail, her own feelings and needs. He should have found the change refreshing, and in a way he did, but he found it alarming too.
Adele would have been greatly surprised to know that he had any interest in her at all and her opinion of this last remark was not well defined. She was conscious of a sinking feeling of disappointment, tangled up with hurt and embarrassment.
It had never occurred to Adele that she might be different to other girls, for she had thought that the whole point of her training at the fort was that she might conform to the idea of a proper wife. It came as something of a shock to find that this was not so and she knew a sudden and uncomfortable fear that perhaps she would not please Lord Rafe, that he too would be disappointed.
“Are you thirsty, Lady Adele?”
Rafe didn’t know what she was thinking, but he misliked the look of perturbed concentration on her face. She looked up at him, not having heard what he had said but knowing that he had addressed her. Her large, troubled eyes met his and he felt as if the breath were knocked from his body, suddenly he heard himself speaking.
“I did not mean that!” He registered the meaning of his words and began to stammer. “That is… ‘tis not that I didn’t mean it, ‘tis just… I just…”
He broke off, unsure if his tangled explanations were making it worse. He was relieved to find that the worry had faded from her eyes and that they were filled with the beginnings of mirth.
“You are funny when you become nervous.”
“I’m not nervous!” Rafe looked vaguely revolted by this description. “It is only that I did not mean it like that.” Again he looked sheepish. “All I meant was, that to be different… ’tis good... that is, Lord Rafe will be pleased.” He broke off abruptly again.
“You do not think Lord Rafe will mind?” asked Adele blushing. “You think he will like it, Finn?”
“I… yes.” Rafe cleared his throat and stood, looking in the direction in which they had come.
The conversation was becoming a little too complicated, too difficult. He even had a vague suspicion that the discussion should not have been taking place.
As he looked through the trees, his eyes keen and searching, worry entered his face. Adele saw it, saw his mind change track and begin on lines wholly different to those of a few moments before. He was gone again, lost to her as a companion. Though his form was still there standing across from her, his mind was somewhere else, somewhere along the trail that they had traversed, restless, questing, searching for answers, for something that she did not know.
“Finn?”
Rafe turned at the sound of her voice, it was low, gently probing and for a few seconds he said nothing as he tried to recover his wondering thoughts. She didn’t speak again, did not question him, but sat looking up, her eyes placid, waiting for him to say something. He had the feeling that she was not requesting confidences, but merely seeking reassurance, the comfort of companionship with another person.
“You look tired.”
“So do you,” she replied. “In truth I think you must be more weary than I, for ‘tis you who must bear the responsibility of our journey.” She stole a look up at him from beneath lowered lashes. “And I think you are plagued by much worry, more even than befits the gravity of our situation.”
Rafe was taken back, few were the people who could read his thoughts with such a degree of perspicacity, and rare was the person who could hold their curiosity in check, questioning not from whence these other worries came. For some reason her understanding unsettled him.
“We have yet much ground to cover before we make camp tonight, it is best that we move along now.”
Facebook.LQC.

EXCERPT (The Vow)

The night was black as pitch, so dark that Finan could not make out anything in the room. He sat upright, wondering what could have woken him. He was by no means a light sleeper and during the evening’s festivities had indulged liberally in mead. It had not been enough to inebriate, but enough to relax him and give him an altogether more cheerful view of the world.
So why was he sleepless now?
Grinding a fist against his eye, it suddenly occurred to him that the room was too dark. The fire had gone out, leaving the air to take on the chill of the night. He shivered and grumbled irritably under his breath.
He had managed to remove his tunic before falling in to bed, now with the woollen blanket and the furs covering the bed pooled at his waist, his skin was covered with gooseflesh. Vaguely he wondered if he could be bothered to relight the dead fire, or if it would be simpler to find another blanket. He was almost certain there was a spare at the foot of his bed.
Yawning he flung back the covers, but his sleepiness made him clumsy and he cracked his knee against the table to one side of the bed. With an angry oath he lurched to rest against the wall, soothing his bruised appendage. He stood there for some considerable time, cursing with a fluency that would have alarmed Lady Ebba, if only she had heard him. He found a great many things to curse: the table, himself and whatever fool had thought to put the table there in the first place.
Finally he straightened and sighed heavily. The flavour of smoke hung on the air and Finan frowned glancing to where his fire should have been burning merrily. There was enough of the scent of smoke to burn the back of his throat, yet no source for its abundance.
The mists of sleep cleared sharply from his brain, replaced by an uncomfortable sensation that something somewhere was amiss. It was a feeling that he had learnt long ago not to ignore, a cold certainty that clawed in his stomach giving him no peace.
Opening the door he stepped out into the hall beyond. The main house and great hall was used only during the day. One of the smaller secondary halls housed the bedchambers. It was a square structure with an apex roof, built with a secondary wall within a first and partitioned into private rooms. Finan had been given the first chamber on the left, as his duties called for him to be readily available for his men.
The stench of smoke was stronger in the hall but the large fire toward the end of the room was nothing more than a few glowing embers. After a few moments investigation, Finan found the source of the smoke; it seeped under the door of Rafe’s bedchamber. Panic welled within him and he threw back the bedroom door.
Smoke billowed out, causing him to recoil, with a shout for help he plunged into the room, almost blind with tears as the smoke laden air assaulted his eyes. He fought his way forward to the bottom of Rafe’s bed. He could just make out his friend’s form, unnaturally still beneath the covers, a twisted woollen blanket spreading flames over the furs.
“Rafe!”
Finan’s hoarse voice had no affect on the still form and he reached to pull the burning covers free from the bed. The walls on either side were aflame preventing Finan from stepping forward, and greedy flames licked at the frame of the bed. Finan made out Rafe’s heavy, fur lined cloak carelessly thrown over a nearby chair and used it to cover Rafe’s inert body.
It would at least shield him from the flames long enough for Finan to get him out of the room. He sucked in a dry lungful of hot air that scorched his throat and wiped the sweat free of his eyes.
There was no way past the flames that surrounded the bed, no way to reach Rafe but through the scorching heat. With sudden determination Finan plunged forwards, pain filling his mind as he felt the touch of fire on his hands and crawling along his forearms.
This couldn’t happen again, he couldn’t lose another brother!
Wrapping Rafe within the cloak, he hoisted him over his shoulder and staggered towards the door. The scorching burn against his shirtless skin was agonising but Rafe’s lax body in his arms frightened him more.
Dimly he was aware of shouting as the rest of the house became aware that something was wrong. As soon as he made it into the hall, eager hands lifted Rafe away from him.
“Don’t put him down in here.” Adele’s voice cut through the noise, her tone calm and confident. “Get him outside, he needs clean air, Finan too.”
“I must help with the fire.”
A firm grip fell on his shoulder and Finan grimaced shifting away from the touch. Esme released him immediately.
“You have helped enough Finan, there are sufficient people to see the fire is put out.”
Looking at the men staggering to and fro with buckets of water, he saw the truth of her statement. Worry for Rafe propelled him out into the cool night air.
Too many was the time he had seen someone shut too long in a smoky room die.
It didn’t seem to matter whether the flames had touched them or not, they fell into a sleep that no one could rouse them from.
Adele directed the men to lay Rafe down some distance from the house. She was shrouded in a plain nightgown, without a cloak to offer her protection from the night air. She looked more childlike than ever with the voluminous white folds billowing about her and her hair plaited neatly down her back.
Finan swayed, his vision blurring and nausea making his stomach roll.
“Finan? What is it? What is wrong?” Lady Esme’s concerned face swam before his eyes and he shook his head attempting to bring her into focus.
The nausea hit harder and Finan turned and vomited on to the grass. He’d never felt so weak before, his legs as unsteady as a newborn colt. Someone slid their arm around his waist, giving him much needed support as he discharged the rest of his evening meal on to the ground. His legs gave way and he dropped to his knees, despite the cold air his skin still seemed to burn.
Esme watched his laboured breathing worriedly. His hands were fisted and pressed into the ground either side of his knees and his head was bent forward, eyes tightly closed. She could see the pain in the lines of his face and red burns stood out patchily against pale skin.
Reaching forward she drew his head to rest against her shoulder, surprised that he didn’t pull away, but sagged tiredly against her. The new position gave a better view of his arms and hands.
The blood drained from her face and she winced.
Large blisters and red open wounds covered his skin from hand to elbow. Finan would bear a constant reminder of this night for the rest of his life.
“Rafe?”
Finan’s voice, rough and husky made her jump and she looked where Adele held Rafe’s limp form in her arms. Tears blinded her, closing her throat so she could hardly breathe.
It didn’t seem possible that her energetic, vibrant brother could be lying so still and silent. Was it just a few hours ago that he had stood before them all with the tale of his adventures?
Her gaze shifted to where her father clasped her sobbing mother tightly, a grey expression of horror drawing his features tight. Aisly stood to one side, immaculately elegant as ever, her long chestnut locks hanging around her slender frame, making her appear as some ethereal pagan goddess. There were tears standing in her eyes but Esme knew that Aisly would not let them fall. She clenched her hands into fists and stood stiff and defiant.
Finan struggled upright on receiving no response and cast a worried look down into her face. Whatever he saw expressed upon her features caused him to pull away and drag himself to where Rafe lay pillowed in Adele’s embrace. Adele wasn’t crying but there was bleakness in her expression, pain in her eyes.
“Is he…?”
“Give him but a moment.”
Adele’s soft voice was no more than a whisper and Finan felt that she was not exactly answering his question but reassuring herself. He gazed down at Rafe’s lifeless body and pale face. Bile rose in his throat as he recalled another white face and lax body laid out as if in sleep. His vision blurred between the two faces, both so dear to him.
Once again it seemed as though he sat in Lord Brogan’s tent, a bloody battle field without and Evoric’s body laid within. His brother had looked so calm, so peaceful, as if he slept. Finan had felt that he had only to reach out and touch his shoulder and Evoric would rise from his slumber.
He couldn’t recall how long he’d sat by his brother’s still form. It hadn’t seemed possible that Evoric was truly dead, Finan’s mind had recoiled from the idea, yet deep down he had known it to be the truth. It was why he could not bring himself to touch Evoric’s body and find it cold and lifeless.
In the end he had sat beside his brother through the night, and when the soldiers came to bury him the next morning, Finan had exchanged his own dagger with Evoric’s. At least they would always have something of each other that way.
“Rafe?”
Finan jumped at Adele’s soft voice, she was stroking Rafe’s cheek with gentle fingers. “You must wake up now, you have to try, can you not do that for me?”
Her voice trembled with the effort it took to hold back her tears, but still Rafe made no move. She bent her head to touch her lips to his brow.
“I know how strong you are, your heart still beats with the might of a warrior.”
Adele shifted to set a lingering kiss against Rafe’s mouth. Her next plea was so softly spoken Finan doubted anyone but he heard it.
“Pease, Rafe, you cannot leave me all alone.”

YOU TUBE TRAILER & PLAYLIST

My sister is a musician and she wrote two custom pieces for both books.
The Promise
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsFh7KI6i5U]
The Vow:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8XJp1Ezcwo]




Lady Quill Chronicles - Author Photo


AUTHOR BIO

Hi everyone! My name is Dee Dee, I’m twenty six and I live in a beautiful part of Devon, England with my family. I have a younger sister, Amy who is a brilliant guitar player, some chickens, duck, geese, pheasants, a cat (that adopted us when we moved in!!!) and some Koi.
Broken City is actually my second novel. My first, as my Aunt so delicately put it, was crazy but in my defence I was only sixteen at the time. On the plus side I learnt a lot (or so I hope) and two years later ‘Broken City’ was finished.
I really hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them.
I love reading and have a kindle: I read almost anything with adventure and romance in it! I also like to cook and wear impractical high heels!!! And as you might have noticed I have a horrible addiction to exclamation marks!!!

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS


GIVEAWAY PRIZES

1 Set of the Lady Quill Chronicle Books (The Promise & The Vow) via smashwords

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Monday, August 25, 2014

Catching up with Reviews

Yes, I know. I'm way behind on reviews. But the good news is ... I'm catching up!


I do still have a little ways to go before I'll open again for review requests, but in the meantime, I posted a new review today for The Love Programme on the review page. Go check it out :) 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

YouTube Reading: The Heart of the Hunter



Check out the first chapter of The Heart of the Hunter here!

Interview with Natalie-Nicole Bates

Here's a chance to get to know Natalie-Nicole a little bit better:

1. What inspired you to write your first book?

That would be Change of Address. I had an idea for two people previously unknown to each other, discover that the house they thought they inherited is actually in dispute. There are two wills, signed by two different attorneys on the same date. I’d never seen anything like that before.

2. Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write?

The television is usually on in the background, but I don’t really pay attention to it. Sometimes I use the iPod, but I often find it distracting.

3. How did you decide on the titles of your books?

I don’t think I have a clear answer to that. I’ve just been lucky to have the titles come to me as I’m writing the story.

4. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I don’t really have what I’d call a ‘mentor’. I have three authors I love and admire (unfortunately all are deceased now). Jacqueline Susann—a few years ago, someone gave me a copy of Valley of the Dolls as a gift. I was absolutely blown away by it! Although it was written in the 1960’s, the writing is transcendent. Dominick Dunne—the male equivalent of Jacqueline Susann. He managed to squeeze about six lives into one. A truly amazing human being. Sidney Sheldon—Master of the Game, one of my hands down favorite books.

5. Which stage of the writing/editing process is the most challenging for you?

The start. I always find writing those first few pages the most challenging. Once I get that done, I roll.

6. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

I was born in Russia, but now live in the United Kingdom. I just received my degree in Mortuary Science this past spring. It’s strange because I can’t actually practice—I’m allergic to almost all of the chemicals involved. It actually put me in the hospital! I’m interested now in cemetery preservation. I write both contemporary and paranormal romance, and have been published since late 2011.

7. If you could sit down and chat with just one of your characters, which one would it be and what would you ask them?

I love, love, love, Daniel Tremont from SEE ME. He’ll also be the hero in my upcoming paranormal novella SAVE ME (Believe Again). It’s a sort of retelling of SEE ME, but more of a funked up fairy tale. He’s one of the characters who latched on to me and refuses to let go. I would just love to hear him speak about his never ending life.

8. Do you have any advice for other writers out there?

Always seek out a comprehensive writing course to learn the correct process for writing a book. I can’t tell you how many promising writers fall down on things such as point of view.

9. Who have been your biggest cheerleaders during your writing process? Who are the ones you have to share your news with, about your books, immediately?

My husband. I have a few close writing friends I share with, but always my husband.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Blog Tour Stop Cover Reveal



The Merry-Go-Round
by Donna Fasano
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2009






When Lauren divorces her husband, she has one thought on her mind...stepping off the merry-go-round. However, her life quickly turns into a three-ring circus: her hypochondriac father moves in, her ex is using her shower when she’s not home, and her perky assistant is pushing her out into the fearsome dating world. She also has to decide if the dilapidated barn and vintage merry-go-round she was awarded in the divorce settlement is a blessing or a bane. As if Lauren’s personal life isn't chaotic enough, this slightly jaded attorney is overrun with a cast of quirky characters who can’t stay on the right side of the law. What’s a woman to do? She can allow life to spin her in circles forever. Or she can reach out and grab the brass ring.




























What are you working on now? 

I’m currently writing two projects at once. I've never done this before, and I can’t decide if I love it or hate it. I’m writing a Christmas Novella entitled Almost Perfect Christmas, the story of man who enlists the help of a woman in giving his daughter a perfect Christmas. Unbeknownst to him, his little girl has every intention of playing an angelic matchmaker. The other project is the first book of a 3-book series called Following His Heart, the story of a man who is eerily drawn to a woman, and after they fall in love, they discover what brought them together, and it just might tear them apart. Yes, the description is vague, but that’s just the way it has to be for now. I’m chuckling as I type this. Both books are contemporary romance novels and are due out this fall.



What are you reading now or what do you have in your TBR pile? 

I just finished Learning to Swim by Sara Henry. I’m currently reading Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour. On my TBR pile you’ll find A Reluctant Hero by Jackie Weger, Creatus by Carmen DeSousa, The Neighbor by Dean Koontz, Three Junes by Julia Glass, One Way or Another by Elaine Raco Chase…should I go on?



What flavor is your writing style?

I always tell people I write cotton candy for the mind. Think back to when you were a kid and you took a bite of that delectable confection. What did you do? You smiled. That’s what I’m going for in my romance novels.



Was writing always the first thing you wanted to do in life?

No, I wanted to be a teacher, but then I met and fell in love with my husband. We married and began raising a family. It wasn't until my children started school that I started writing.



While you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters? 

I believe there’s a lot of me in my protagonists. I write about women who are strong, yet vulnerable. My main characters and my secondary characters have flaws and make mistakes (don’t we all?), but then most of them do all they can to learn, grow and become better people.



Do you have any advice for other writers?

One piece of advice I often give to writers is to READ. Don’t just read in the genre in which you write. Read everything. And then figure out what you liked and what you didn't…and then think about why. Reading and analyzing the writing of talented people can help you perfect your own skills.



Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

I bow down to readers! I am so appreciative that they spend their hard-earned money on my books and then take the time to read my stories. I am so blessed to have a job I love, and I wouldn't have this job if there weren't readers who love romance novels.



What inspired you to write your first book? 

I came to writing through my love of reading. I spent many a Saturday as a kid in the local library. I loved books, but I never imagined I would ever write one. My husband gets the credit for my becoming a writer. When my children started school and I decided to find a part-time job, he looked around at the piles of romance novels in our home and said, “You've read a lot of those. Why don’t you try writing one?” So, you see. It’s all his fault.



If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? 

Not my latest book, but one of my titles—Where’s Stanley?—features an ending that I didn't come up with. I handed in the completed manuscript, and my editor suggested a different ending. I wasn't happy, but I did as she asked. Personally, I think the book suffered for it, but readers seem to enjoy it.



What books have most influenced your life most? 

Old Yeller, Sounder, The Bell Jar, To Kill a Mockingbird…how can people read these books and not be influenced? There are so many titles that inspired me and moved me, molded and shaped me, there isn't time to name them all. The characters in these wonderful books help young readers to decide what kind of individual they want to be.



Do you ever experience writer's block? 

There was a time when I’d have said no. I have a plant-your-butt-in-the-chair-and-the-words-will-come attitude. But I did suffer writer’s block while my dad was battling cancer. It’s difficult to write feel-good happily-ever-after when your beloved father is dying.



Do you write an outline before every book you write?

I do, yes. I equate an outline with a road made; how do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a map? I might write the first chapter or two on the fly, but I always take the time to plan out where I want the story to go. Now that’s not to say that the characters are going to stay on the straight and narrow. They decide to veer off the highway every now and then, and that’s when I have to do a quick reroute.



Have you ever disliked something you wrote? 

I've never published anything that I disliked. I have started projects that haven’t seen the light of day, either because I couldn't figure out where to take the story, or I couldn't make the protagonist sympathetic or likable. It’s a rare occurrence, and when it happens, I just set the story aside and hope I can someday come up with a solution.







USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women's fiction books that have sold 4 million copies worldwide. Look for Ehefrau auf Zeit (German Edition) due out September 16th, published by Amazon Crossing, and the first novel of the brand new 3-book Ocean City Boardwalk Series called Following His Heart, due to be released at the end of October.



















Author Spotlight: Natalie-Nicole Bates


The Heart of the Hunter 

by Natalie-Nicole Bates 


After a devastating accident, Barret Atkins has accepted a quiet, solitary existence. His life is turned upside down, when he finds the badly injured Kansas Smith, left for dead in a case of mistaken identity. As Kansas begins to recover, Barret must face some deep scars of his own. When the couple begin to fall for each other, their lives spin into a revival of past hurts, jealousies, and betrayals, causing Barret to put a halt to their budding relationship.
Barret’s hesitation causes his best friend-turned vicious rival, Duncan Craig, to pursue a friendship with Kansas. Where will this leave Barret? Can they all hold on long enough to escape Kansas’s attacker, and will they ever conquer their own inner demons intent on keeping them apart?

Buy Links: 







Social Links: 








Bio: 

Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author. 

Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

Visit Natalie online at www.natalienicolebates.com








Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Crazy Couple Weeks

Yep, it's been hectic. Book releases, preparation for first child to start school - life has been getting the one up on my blogging when it comes to new articles. But with some of the stuff out of the way, I'm going to start posting regular articles here once again.

And continue to keep your eyes open for more blog tours. If you have any you'd like let me know about, please email me at sweetlycleanromances@gmail.com.

Also, as an author, if you'd like to have your book mentioned on the Facebook page, please fill out this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hVSXLTQDu4RxY5g6T3aR966zmG9TJZBZ-L4OLyfwcVw/viewform

And, if you are a reader that just read a great book you'd like me to know about, please PM me on the FB page or email at the address above with the book title and author name.

Thank you for all your support and for sharing my love of books!!!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Changes to Author Services

A few changes have been made to the Author Services page, including a new way of sharing your book. Make sure to check it out!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Interview with Brooke Williams


Meet Brooke Williams



Interview: 


What inspired you to write your first book?
I had an idea about writing a book with a character in a coma for a long time. I didn’t really know what that would entail or what the book would even be about beyond that. When the introduction to the book came to me one day, I was inspired to write it down. After that, I had to know what happened. There was no stopping it after that and “Someone Always Loved You” was born.

Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write?

I used to but now, I like peace and quiet. I think it’s largely because all day everyday is total chaos with my two young girls. I write when they are napping and it’s the only “quiet” I get all day. Plus I can hear music and other noise through their monitors so any more noise is just overkill!

How did you decide on the titles of your books?

“Someone Always Loved You” was actually a huge struggle for me. I took suggestions from family members for weeks. I wanted to call it something like “Blood is Thicker than Water” or something equally strange that really didn’t make sense for what it was. All of my other books, however, I have had the title in mind before I’ve started writing it. Usually if I don’t have the title up front, it’s hard to come up with it later.


If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Oo, good question! I have to pick just one? Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorites and I feel like his writing has inspired me plenty. I don’t feel like my style is like his, but if I could be like another writer, I certainly wouldn’t mind being compared to him!


Which stage of the writing/editing process is the most challenging for you?

Editing!!! I don’t particularly like reading my own stuff…at least not with a fine toothcomb. I read what I meant and not what I said and it’s hard for me to be hyper critical about what I put out there. Editing it tedious and strenuous and so un-fun compared to the writing portion!!


Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

First and foremost, I’m the mother of two young girls, ages 5 and 18 months. I spend all day every day with them other than “nap” time. My youngest still naps, but the oldest does not. I’ve been strict about a quiet time for her and it’s been my saving grace. Without it, I would never have time to write a word! In my former life, I was a radio announcer/producer/script writer. It was a fun career in many ways, but I prefer what I’m doing now. Someday, I hope to make writing a more full time thing once my girls are in school.


If you could sit down and chat with just one of your characters, which one would it be and what would you ask them?

I’d love to chat with several of them, actually. Jordan from “Someone Always Loved You” is so peaceful and such a selfless soul. I think I could learn a lot from her. Kate Covington in my upcoming novella “Wrong Place, Right Time” has a lot in common with me in her former career as a TV traffic reporter. Though she was in it longer than my 5 months…


Do you have any advice for other writers out there?

Don’t give up. “Making it” in the industry is a struggle. IF you want to get published, you might feel like finding the right avenue is like finding a needle in a haystack. Let me tell you, if you don’t look for that needle, you’ll NEVER find it! It’s in there! Dig deep enough and you’ll run across the right thing.


Who have been your biggest cheerleaders during your writing process? Who are the ones you have to share your news with, about your books, immediately?

My mom is at the top of the list. After I wrote “Someone Always Loved You” she wanted a sequel…like yesterday! She’s read about everything I’ve written and she always has positive things to say and encourage me with. My friend Andrea, a fellow writer with a book coming out in October (The 20th Christmas, check it out!) is very like-minded about writing. She’s very encouraging and I know she really GETS it, so it’s always fun to compare notes, triumphs, and disappointments with her.



BIO:

Brooke Williams bio

Brooke Williams is an award-winning author and freelance writer. She began her career in radio, both on the air and behind the scenes. She did a brief stint in TV news and then took on her most challenging job as a stay at home mom. During the few quiet hours in her day, Brooke writes articles for a number of clients as well as fiction creations such as “Someone Always Loved You.” Brooke has also written “Beyond the Bars,” a thriller, “God in the Kitchen,” a Christian novel, and “Taxi Delivery,” a Christian Romance. Brooke looks forward to the December 9th release of “Wrong Place, Right Time,” a romantic comedy and the February 2015 release of “Accept this Dandelion” inspired by the Bachelor TV show. Brooke has been married to her husband Sean since 2002 and has two daughters, Kaelyn and Sadie.



Links:


Website:

Facebook:

Goodreads:

Someone Always Loved You amazon link:

Email:  authorbrookewilliams@gmail.com 



Saturday, August 2, 2014

We're looking for you!!



CALLING ALL CLEAN ROMANCE AUTHORS!!!!


If you write clean romance in any sub genre, and are looking for a spotlight, YouTube Reading, or have a blog tour coming up, contact us now to find out how we can help!!! 


Blog Tour Stop Day #2


Someone Always Loved You

by Brooke Williams

Excerpt: 


PROLOGUE

          The bright yellow taxi nearly took the curve on two wheels.  She told the driver that getting there fast was a matter of life or death.  She just didn’t want to lose her own life in the process.  She thought longingly of her car, up on blocks at the mechanics where it had been stationed for nearly a week.  Glancing out the window and seeing another curve coming, she cursed herself for not maintaining her vehicle properly.  Bracing herself for the turn, she held back tears as the phone call re-played itself in her mind.
          “Mrs. James?”
          “Yes.”
          “This is Memorial Hospital. Your husband had a heart attack. He just arrived a few moments ago…his condition is critical.”
          “Is he going to be okay?”
          “We just don’t know at this point.”
          She clenched her eyes shut as she remembered how her own heart nearly stopped beating as she heard those words….heart attack…critical condition…don’t know.
          The taxi had to get her there.  She needed to tell him before it was too late.  Even if he didn’t live, he had to know before he died.  Even if he couldn’t hear her, she was going to try.
          As she thought about the exact words she would use, the taxi jolted to a stop across from the towering emergency building.  She glanced at its massive presence with a sense of dread.        
She threw bills at the driver, not waiting for change.  After the fancy curve work, the driver deserved every extra penny.  In her rush, she didn’t bother to look both ways.  In her terror, she didn’t hear the siren.
*        *        *        *
          It was his first day on the job.  He had studied the maps for days at a time and he knew the city streets better than the back of his hand.  He knew the fastest routes at every time of day.  His first passenger would not die on his clock.  Not a chance.  With the siren blaring, he drove swiftly, but gently, so the emergency medical technician in the back could work without disruption.
          “She’s losing a lot of blood, Jay,” the EMT shouted.  “We gotta get there fast, man!”
          “Not a problem,” Jay replied.  “I called ahead.  They have her blood type ready.  Plus we’re already there.”
          Jay only glanced back for a moment.  He just wanted to see the look on the seasoned EMT’s face as the man realized he’d just taken the quickest ambulance ride of his career right through the city during rush hour. 
The woman darted out of nowhere.  In his glory, Jay never saw her. 
          The second he looked away had been one second too long.  As his eyes fastened back on the road ahead, the ambulance pulled under the emergency room over hang, and he caught the worry in her eyes an instant before the impact.  The sickening sound jolted him backward into his seat.  


Find out what happens next here: