Author, author... Deena Ramiel & a giveaway

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Today we have a guest blogger, Author Deena Ramiel !!

My Writing Journey… such a TEASE!

It begins on March 26, 2009, with the writing of the first chapter of a story called, TRINITY. This story turned into a daily meeting of the minds- the characters’ and mine. It didn’t end for many, many more chapters. And at the end, I thought, I have a novel. I think I can publish this. But how?

Don’t all great journeys begin with a question? Researching how I was to get my novel published was the beginning of a love/hate affair between me and the publishing process. The LOVE part came when Decadent Publishing picked me up. The HATE part came with the waiting! I’m very impatient, so the waiting that comes with the territory drives me bonkers! My impatience led to writing more and more while… waiting.

I continue to write books under the Brethren Series, RELIC and ELIXXIR. I’ve written a Decadent Publishing 1NS short story, Ghost of a Chance. But with time and more books comes more promotions. This part of the writing journey is so much fun, as well. Meeting new readers, hearing excitement and appreciation in their voices. I am humbled by all the interest and outpouring of love.

So, now I come to a new path in my journey- writing for a new line at Decadent Publishing: TEASE. It’s where sweet occurrences and vivid fantasies begin. Burning Sage is a paranormal romance, where belief and faith is tested. It is the first book in the LOVE AMONG THE RUINS series.

My writing journey continues, with more short stories in mystical, mythological places. Who knows where my journey will take me next?

Burning Sage

Deena Remiel

Blurb: Sage Wilcot, an accomplished scientist, has set her sights on her lifelong obsession, studying the volcanoes of the island of Santorini. Once there, though, she gets more than she bargained for. The dormant volcano is waking and shaking things up in the process.

 

An enigmatic stranger—from a mythical ancient city—comes to her rescue and challenges her to believe in the unbelievable. Will she take the huge leap of faith for love’s sake or stay cloistered in her fortress of certainty and solitude?

 

Excerpt:

“Well, now what?” She brushed the sandy grit off her hands and sloshed her way to drier land. “I’m here. On a grumbling volcano. Alone. What the hell was I thinking?” She shook her head at her own audacity and stupidity.

“You were thinking of me, perhaps? I can only hope.”

Sage spun around at the sound of the low-timbered voice. “Emmanouel?”

He stepped out of the shadowy darkness and outstretched his arms in a welcoming gesture. “In the flesh. And you, Sage, are too, I see. Looking splendid.”

“Yes, much less dusty and grimy. It’s amazing what a shower and some clean clothes can do.” Really, Sage? That’s your big comeback?

He laughed lightly and sauntered closer to her. “So were you?”

“Was I what?”

“Thinking of me.”

“In a way.”

“In what way?”

“Annoyance, actually.”

“Why is that?”

“You disappeared on me earlier. You were following me out of the hole we were in, and then when I went to introduce you to a colleague, you were gone. I could have used some backup on my story about my face being injured and how you fixed it with that watery stuff of yours. See? It’s all gone. No cut, no bruise….”

“Just beautiful, soft skin that I long to touch.” His husky voice sent thrilling pulses through her body and a tingly sensation across her skin. He reached out, and with the back of his hand, tried to caress her cheek. Barely controlling her burgeoning lust, she stepped back.

“Now cut that out. I’m trying to be angry with you.”

“I’m sorry. Go ahead.”

“Well, I can’t now. You kinda fizzled it out of me.”

“Oh, good. So now I can touch you, yes?”

“No!” she huffed, and stepped farther out of his reach. “You can tell me where you went and why you’re here now. How did you know I’d be here?”

 “I never left. I can never leave.”

 

About the Author:

 

 It was the mystique of Arizona’s history and landscape that called to Deena and catapulted her career as an author. When she’s not writing romance and urban fantasy in the wee small hours of the morning or in the deep, dark of night, Deena teaches language arts to middle school students. She currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her husband and two children, but New Jersey will always tug at her heartstrings. She believes in angels and loves connecting with her fans, so find her at deenaremiel.com.

 

WEBSITE    TWITTER     FACEBOOK    BLOG    PINTEREST

GIVEAWAY

Win one of 5 copies of Ghost of a Chance by Deena Remiel.

 

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Author, author... Meet our Guest, Cassandra Dean!

...read all about her !!

SIlK & SCANDAL

by

 

Cassandra Dean

 

 

Hi peeps,

 

I love historical romance so much. It’s always been my go to, from the time I was a young un picking up my first romance novel. There’s just something about the old timey world, the romance of the ‘rules’, the dancing, the pretty dresses. The allure of a ‘simpler’ time, where there were no computers or smart phones or personal hygiene…hmm J

 

I guess that’s why I write historical romance. Not the hygiene thing, cos ew! But I enjoy reading of times gone by, of learning little bits and pieces of history as well as enjoying a rollicking good story. And, of course, my favourite period is England in the 1800s.

 

It was such a massive century of change. In romance novels, it begins with Jane Austen and the Regency, where manners and pretty dresses and the all important Season is lovingly detailed. Then the industrial revolution came, making it so people flocked from the country to the cities and brought about those scant years of massive social, economic and industrial change that epitomises the Victorian age.

 

How could I not love such diverse and almost opposite eras bookending the century?

SILK & SCANDAL, The Silk Series Book 1, is set at the beginning of the Victorian era, where change is slowly starting to occur. Thomas, the hero, is a foundling, a young man taken in by a childless noble couple and given a chance at a worthy life. He chooses to become a barrister and then a member of parliament, to bring about change in this brave new world.

 

Nicola, the heroine, is still stuck in the old world. As a woman and a lady, she cannot be anything other than a pretty decoration, and yet her passion is the law. Secretly – so secret she doesn’t even admit it to herself, she wishes she could become a barrister like her friend Thomas, but the strictures of her time and class will not allow it. Instead, she has no outlet for her intellect and instead falls into scandal. A lot of scandal. Like, all the time J

 

I had such fun writing SILK & SCANDAL and exploring the era that brought about such massive change in Western society. Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Cassandra Dean
Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com

 

 

THE SILK SERIES, BOOK 1

 

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.

 

Available NOW from
Decadent Publishing
Amazon.com | Smashwords | All Romance eBooks | Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

~ Excerpt ~

Thomas took a breath, knowing he had to phrase this just right. “Lady Nicola, while I am cognizant of the honor you do me, I don’t believe it appropriate you visit me in my chambers. Shall we arrange a time that suits us both, perhaps for a walk about the park?”

China-blue eyes laughed at him. “Oh, pish. Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy, Thomas. We never stood on such ceremony before.”

Didn’t she know he couldn’t be her friend? Not since their ways had parted and she’d become who she was, while he had become who he was. “Our situations were different before, Lady Nicola. It is not appropriate for a lady of your standing to visit a bachelor in his chambers.”

“Who is going to comment? No one knows I’m here.”

Was she serious? “My clerk knows you’re here. By now, the senior clerk undoubtedly knows you’re here. Before ten minutes have passed, everyone in the building will know you’re here.”

“Well, then, they are a bunch of shocking gossips, and I should not like to know them any better.” She folded her hands in her lap.

“Not the point, Nicola.” Bloody hell, but she drove him mental. She tore at him and picked at him until he didn’t know where he stood. Always she’d done this, taken what little sense he had and driven it right out of his brain.

“I should say it is the point. Our visit would not distress you, if it weren’t for them.”

“It should distress me in any case. You should not be here.”

“Do you know what I’m hearing, Thomas? I’m hearing a vast amount of negativity, when you’ve not even greeted me properly. Why, you’ve yet to kiss my hand, or perhaps give me a h-hug.” Chin up, she looked at him with eyes brimming, and he saw right through her facade. She was truly hurt he’d not yet greeted her as he should.

Helpless, he stared at her. How did she do it? How did she turn his brain to mush? She’d been here less than five minutes, and already she had drawn him back in.

But she was right. He hadn’t greeted her as he should.

Standing, he went to her and drew her to her feet. “Welcome home, Nic.” And he hugged her.

 

 

 

Author, author.... Back to You by Natalie-Nicole Bates

...read all about it !!

 

Today please welcome Author Natalie-Nicole Bates :)

 

 

Hi Natalie-Nicole, wonderful to have you with us. Could you tell us a little about yourself?

 

I was born in Russia, but now live in the United  Kingdom. I write contemporary and paranormal romance, as well as some horror fiction. My first sale was a contemporary romance to Secret Cravings Publishing called Change of Address.

 

 

Those are two places i've always wanted to see.  As far as becoming a writer, what or who initially inspired you?

 

I think it was my love of reading from a very young age that inspired me to write. In between I was a book reviewer, and one day I thought, ‘I can do this’.

 

 

And we are very glad you did decide you could do this!  What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?

 

I try to write off of what I know, especially with my contemporaries. But some of my paranromals like SEE ME, I’ve had to do some research back to Victorian times, which I love.

 

 

I like that you can write a couple different genres.  Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?

 

I had a specially built glass room added to the back of my house. This way, I can be amongst nature as I write. It’s very cool and very private.

 

 

That sounds like a wonderful room !  I'm sure it'd be great for reading as well.  And as a reader, what types of works do you like to read and do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?

 

I read a lot of mystery and biographies. I don’t think what I read influences what I write. I read what interests me at the time. I also enjoy a lot of 1940’s written fiction as well.

 

 

 

What is your favorite method of writing...as in laptop, desktop, Ipad or the old fashioned pencil and paper??  And do you plot out your story or go with the flow of your muse?

 

I am a plotter. I plot, plot again, and then plot some more! When I first started writing, I did write long hand. But have since moved on to a desktop. I like the big screen.

 

 

 

I think a big screen would definitely come in handy.  When you need a break or some time off from the trials of being a writer, what can you be found doing?

 

I do a lot of gardening. I also like to get out with the camera and photograph. I also bake several times a week.

 

 

Oh baking is definitely a like of mine.  Is there anything about yourself nobody knows that you would like to share with our readers??

 

I’m actually studying law. I’m hoping to complete my law program in the next few years.

 

 

Law?  That's wonderful.  Now for a little fun, I have a few personal questions,  

 

Your Favorite 5

 1) Favorite color -Red

2) Favorite dessert –chocolate sundae

3) Favorite Season -Autumn

4) Favorite sad song-Nazareth-Love Hurts

5) Favorite Romantic movie –Don’t really have one I can think of.

 

And a bonus, what is your ideal romantic vacation??

 

A villa in Majorca just steps off the beach with my significant other

 

 

 

Where can our readers find you?? 

 

Twitter: @BatesNatalie

Facebook: : http://www.facebook.com/natalienicole.bates

Website/blog: http://www.natalienicolebates.com

Street Team:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/441841792565396

 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

 

Back to You

 

 

On the surface, Lynsey Reznor seems to have it all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and a successful true-crime writer who has been living the past decade in Miami. But what Lynsey lacks is what she needs the most—a family.

After the death of her mother, and yet another failed relationship, Lynsey makes an impulsive decision to return to her hometown of Unity. But Unity will present its own bittersweet memories, most notably, her first love, Nick Lincoln.

Twenty years ago, Nick broke teenager Lynsey’s heart when he decided to marry another. He had his own private reasons—reasons he never explained to Lynsey. Now she is back, along with a chance to reclaim her love. But Lynsey wants answers from him that he may never be able to give out of duty and guilt.

Buy Link

 

Back To You Single Release

http://www.amazon.com/Back-to-You-ebook/dp/B00C2E9XEQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1364488822&sr=8-4&keywords=back+to+you+bates

Back To You collection at Amazon: Features bonus stories Remember The Stars and Antique Charming

http://www.amazon.com/Back-to-You-Collection-ebook/dp/B00BUCU0YI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363360122&sr=8-1&keywords=back+to+you+natalie+nicole+bates

 

 

My paranormal romance novella, Remember The Stars is currently available at Amazon through Books To Go Now.

http://www.amazon.com/Remember-the-Stars-ebook/dp/B00B3EF1YW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358695362&sr=8-1&keywords=remember+the+stars

 

 

 

Before we let you leave us today, do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.

 

This is my recipe for Russian Tea Cakes. I usually make them at Christmas time. They’re super easy to make, and hardly ever fail. If you accidentally overbrown them, the powder sugar covers a myriad of mistakes!

 

1 cup butter (room temperature)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons powdered sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

1 cup finely chopped walnuts (pecans work nicely as well)

1/3 cup powdered sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Bottoms should be lightly brown. Top is pale. While still warm, roll in remaining powdered sugar. Roll sugar a second time when totally cool.

About 3 dozen cookies.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~     ~



Natalie, thank you so much for being our guest today.  It was wonderful learning more about you and please come back to visit us any time !!

Readers, make sure you get your copy of Back to You today !

Until next time, happy reading!

Krista

Author, author.... Spotlight on Baby Stetson

...read all about it !!!

Author Nikki Lynn Barrett is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter.  Make sure to follow the Rafflecopter below and dont' forget to leave an email address so you can be reached if you win !  Please follow the Tasty Virtual Book Tour schedule for more chances to win !

Blurb

In small Texas towns, strangers come and go...

Left in a Stetson hat, on the steps of the local bed and breakfast, Avery Callimer came into the world on a wing and a prayer. Raised by loving adoptive parents, she's never lacked for love...only the knowledge of her past.

By day she works the Inn, but by night...Avery comes alive as lead singer in a band. Life was good...stable, until new guests blew into town. 

Some strangers come with secrets and lies.

Lucas Bennett is one such stranger. Drifting from one mess to another has left him jaded. Doesn't matter the dramas are never his doing. Giving it one last shot to make a fresh start lands him Harmony's Echo, Texas and smack dab in front of the tantalizing Avery.

Despite his best efforts to ignore the burn Avery's ignited within, he's intent to keep his distance. Secrets have followed him. Secrets he doesn't want Avery to know. Each time they're near the other things heat up like a brushfire on a dry Texas prairie. But maybe, after the dust settles and the smoke clears, love can bloom with a fresh start.

 

Excerpt

Cool, crisp air greeted them as Avery and Lucas exited the inn.  Not too bad of a night weather wise.  Nearby, a twig snapped.  Avery jumped.  “What was that?”

“Probably an animal,” Lucas guessed.  “A little jumpy tonight?”

Avery’s mind went back to that text from earlier.  “Maybe a little bit.”  She wasn’t fully sure why.  A combination of stress and lack of sleep, maybe.

“I’ll protect you from the big bad wolf,” Lucas teased.

“Oh?  So what if you’re the big bad wolf?  Who’ll protect me from you?”

Lucas halted.  “You think I’m the wolf, eh?”

“Well, you haven’t proved that you aren’t yet,” Avery shot back.  God how he riled her.  She hated how much she enjoyed it sometimes.

“I’m guessing you like the wolves then, because you liked this before.”  Lucas reached for her, and his lips met hers.  Avery’s heart melted.  She wrapped herself into Lucas, leaning into his kisses.  He tasted sensational.  Each kiss drove her further over the edge.

“Lucas.”  Avery groaned.  She went in for another kiss, but a strange sound startled her, and she pulled away from him.  “Do you hear that?  If it’s an animal, it’s nearby.”

Lucas whipped his head to stare in the direction.  “I don’t know.  Maybe we’d better go, get away from whatever it is.”  Lucas put his arm around Avery and pulled her close.  They strolled to the house, his arm around her the entire time.

Once they got in front of the house, Avery wasn’t ready to let him go.  “Do you want to come in for awhile?”  It wasn’t just that she longed for Lucas.  The strange sensation that someone was near, watching, the fact that her parents weren’t home ... she just didn’t want to be alone.

 

“Is that such a good idea?” Lucas asked.

“I don’t want to be alone, Lucas,” Avery pleaded.

“Okay then.”  He squeezed her hand.  That must have been all the convincing he needed.

Avery fumbled with the keys and got the door unlocked.  Once inside, she felt a little safer.  She closed the door behind Lucas and flicked on the light.

“You’re so jumpy.  What’s going on, Avery?” Lucas asked gently, brushing back loose stands of her hair that had fallen over her left eye.

She swallowed.  “I just- I got a strange text earlier.  I keep feeling like I’m being watched.  Mom and Dad aren’t here.  I may be overreacting, but I’m afraid.”

Lucas frowned.  “A text?”

Avery pulled her phone from her purse, searched for the text and handed it to Lucas.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he scowled, handing her the phone back.

“I wish I knew.  It came out of nowhere.  It may even be a wrong number, but for some reason, it’s got me a bit freaked out.”

“I can understand that.  You’ve got a few new people in your life lately.”

“That includes you.”

“Do you trust me, Avery?” Lucas challenged.

 “I think I do.  Sure, you have your secrets, but something about you makes me feel safer than I have in a long time.  I don’t know how to explain it.  Maybe the question I should be asking you is can I trust you, Lucas?”

He hesitated.  “You can trust me.”

Add this book to your goodreads list!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17341981-baby-stetson

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Stetson-Music-Texas-ebook/dp/B00BWIE1GI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1363971733&sr=1-1&keywords=Baby+Stetson

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baby-stetson-nikki-lynn-barrett/1114866006?ean=2940016243566

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Baby-Stetson/book-rP9VC1UvlEqgaOrJJXLatw/page1.html?s=91X-oMVbn0aPh2Tu_jejRw&r=1

AUTHOR BIO:

Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She's an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. Nikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. The Secret Santa Wishing Well is her debut book. You can visit Nikki's site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com

Author Links:

www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett

https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor

@Stormgoddess925 on Twitter

Other books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

The Secret Santa Wishing Well

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16159845-the-secret-santa-wishing-well

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