Archive for July 2015 | Monthly archive page

July 29, 2015

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I haven’t hosted many blog tours, but this collection, which includes Nola Cross, one of my Starcatchers sisters, was too intriguing to pass up. I love a good story with elements of things we can’t explain.

Without further ado, here are the details on Psychic Seductions:

A hot, new anthology that’s sure to seduce your senses and it’s on SALE for 99 cents as a special LIMITED RELEASE price. 

Psychic Seductions

When it comes to love, sex, and seduction, these psychics break all the rules. Seven sexy stories and seven gifts of insight that will make you a believer.

Always You by Ella Jade

Aurora Mills has moved back to her hometown after a messy divorce which has left her penniless. Her friend Clara offers her a job at their family’s pub, and within days Aurora runs into Clara’s older brother Caleb. Aurora has always been attracted to him—there’s something about him that just draws her in.

Caleb Larson has spent the past few years coming to terms with the tragic deaths of his parents and struggling with the guilt of not being able to prevent it. His gift of premonitions should have allowed him to see their future. After Aurora returns to town, whenever he’s in her presence, he can sense that they have a deep connection of some type. Then he has a powerful vision from the past, and he knows there’s even more to his feelings than he thought. Can these two lost souls find peace in each other’s arms?

 

A Hint of Heaven by Nola Cross

Firefighter Jake Manley is a no-nonsense kind of guy. So when his little sister goes to see pet psychic Carrie Westfield, he lets the beautiful medium know he’s got a watchful eye on her. But somehow she does seem to know more than she should, including painful secrets from his past. When the helpful spirit of his boyhood dog shows up, things get even stranger, making him question everything he thought was true. Can Jake accept that life doesn’t end with death and let go of the guilt he’s carried all these years? More importantly, can he let Carrie Westfield into his heart?

 

Cupid and Cupcakes by Jacquie Underdown

In a snowy, sleepy town is a quaint cupcake shop. People travel from miles away to visit this sugar-scented store because they think it’s magical. They’re not entirely wrong. But it isn’t the shop, or the cupcakes it sells, that’s magical…it’s the owner.

Penny loves her little store, but people don’t visit Cupid and Cupcakes solely for her cakes. They have an ulterior motive—they’re seeking love. Penny is a matchmaker, a modern-day cupid, and she’s great at it. Never wrong. Unfortunately, Penny’s gift doesn’t work where her own love life is concerned. That is until Jonathon reappears in her life. He’s her best friend’s brother, utterly wrong for her, and completely off-limits. Or is he?

 

Psychic Set-Up by Lacey Wolfe

During a drunken night of self-wallowing over his failed love life, Parker Evans wanders into Psychic Set-Up to see what a matchmaking psychic can do for him. But once he meets the luscious psychic he’s not interested in anyone else.

Willow Webb is an aura reader who plays matchmaker for a living. While she has tremendous success matching up others, her own love life is nonexistent. Men aren’t able to handle being involved with a woman who can read their every emotion. But she finds herself drawn to her handsome new client. When it comes time to match him up, will she do her job or keep him for herself?

 

Something in the Water by Lisa Knight

Kindergarten teacher Jill O’Halloran does her best to disregard the visions she sees in pools of still water, having learned from a young age that it wasn’t something that happened to normal people. But when images of Darcy Albright in the throes of passion keep appearing, they prove too difficult to ignore. Jill can’t understand why she’s so drawn to Darcy. Sure he’s gorgeous, but she doesn’t do relationships.

When Darcy’s ex-wife drops a bombshell, Jill discovers that he’s all too familiar with futuristic visions. But is the prospect of learning more about the gift she’s denied for so long worth the risk of falling for him?

 

Indigo Stars by Stephanie Beck

Indigo’s ability to create light with her mind was always a fun parlor trick, but since her cancer diagnosis, the parlor has closed for business. On the brink of major health failure, she can’t help but wonder when her good luck ran out.

Dr. Lee Russell believes in healing by any means necessary. He uses his psychic powers in special cases when modern medicine just can’t help. Indigo’s case is special. She’s like him, yet she wastes her gift creating stars. He heals her, but doesn’t expect much, not until he gets sick himself and only Indy’s touch can ease his pain. He’s never seen himself as anything more than a healer, but to save his own life, Lee will have to mentor Indigo to reach beyond the stars and use her gift in ways she never imagined.

 

Taming Fury by Ellen Cummins

Holly is a mind-moving Fury who electrifies all human flesh she touches. Even her own family has sent her packing. She moves things with her mind, manipulating fire with the flick of her finger, but she burns for the one thing that has never been an option for her—love.

When she catches sight of the handsome man helping her new neighbor move in she longs to take a chance and introduce herself…to pretend to be normal just once. It could easily end in disaster, but surprisingly, when she shakes his hand, no mind-blowing electrocution follows, and she begins to hope. But it turns out that her touch has affected Jacob in a way she never imagined, and it will change his life forever.

Content Warning: these stories contain sensual sex scenes

You can grab an excerpt for each story here

Psychic Seductions is available now.

Beachwalk Press

Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDkCnf-tB9o

GIVEAWAY

The authors of the Psychic Seductions Anthology are giving away 2 $20 Amazon Gift Cards to celebrate the release of this spectacular collection.

Rafflecopter code

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Link

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6c6c72bf13/?

Mary BehreJoin me in welcoming Mary Behre to the blog for this edition of Writer Wednesday. I’ve known Mary for what seems like forever. I think we met for the first time at RWA Nationals in Anaheim, but had exchanged emails before that. Mary is an organizational queen, forever coordinating contests and marshaling volunteers. She’s also another member of the LaLaLa group that I love.

Fun fact: her name rhymes. Before we met in person, I assumed Behre was pronounced “bear”—like a certain hero from JUST RIGHT. But you know what happens when you assume. It’s actually pronounced “Berry”—like the fruit.

In her own words: Award-winning author Mary Behre loves stories with humor, suspense, a touch of the paranormal and above all else, a good romance. She tries not to take herself too seriously, often claiming as the lone female in a house full of males, she’s the undisputed queen. And even has the glittery tiara to prove it. When not writing, she enjoys reading, gluten-free baking, and hanging out at the beach with the most important men in her life, her family.

Mary’s newest book, Harmonized (A Tidewater Novella), continues her popular Tidewater series. It’s Book 2.5 — and it just came out yesterday. Isn’t the cover gorgeous?

About the book:

Harmonized | Mary BehreOld lovers reunite on Valentine’s Day to find a missing baby the world thinks is already dead…

After nearly dying on assignment, Tidewater police officer Zig Harmon has been awarded the Silver Star and desk duty. But handling every case that walks through the door while his entire department is out hunting a serial killer is nothing compared to dealing with his former flame, Karma De La Cruz.

As much as she hates it, Karma knows that her best chance of finding the kidnapped baby haunting her visions is the man she once left behind. Forced to work together, Karma and Zig start to realize that they may have let go of something incredible. But now, time is running out, both for the missing infant and for their chance to start again…

Harmonized is already getting some great press:

“Mary Behre consistently delivers a fun, suspenseful read with a delightful paranormal twist.” –Lena Diaz, author of Exit Strategy

And my personal favorite:

“Harmonized hit all the right notes.” –Herding Cats & Burning Soup

I love a good play on words! Read on below this week’s “This or That” questions for a sneak peek. But first, let’s get to know Mary a little better.

Sweet potato fries or regular fries? Oh, regular definitely. I detest sweet potatoes. The best fries are steak cut and coated in Old Bay seasoning. They’re so yummy, I think I’ll go make some right now!

Leather or lace? Leather’s too sweaty and lace is too itchy, so I’ll have to say neither. I’m a cotton or silk girl all the way. I prefer to wear something that breathes. Unless I’m getting dressed up, then it’s silk for me.

Night owl or early bird? Mostly an early bird. Although, when I’m really pushing myself to finish the first draft of a novel, I often sprint with friends in a cyber chat room at night. Still, I usually hit a wall at 11pm my time. LOL

Personal chef or personal trainer? Personal chef. I love to eat well but I hate to cook. One of the first things that had me falling for my husband was he prepared a caesar salad from scratch. Best salad ever. Then he introduced me to marinated flank steak. Yep. He definitely worked his way into my heart through my stomach. 🙂

Writing time: Home office or coffee shop? Neither. I do some of my best writing at the library. Plus, I don’t have to worry about dogs barking, kids yelling, or the phone ringing. Plus, I love the whole shush factor at my local bibliotheca.

A library? That’s a new one for me. I might have to give it a try. I like the whole “no dogs, no phone” thing. (I’d no doubt appreciate the “no kids” part, too, if I had any.)

Now the excerpt you’ve been waiting for:

“You shook my entire belief system to the core when you walked out. The woman I’d fallen in love with was full of compassion and kindness. She wanted to be a nurse. To save the world. But the woman who abandoned me? I couldn’t reconcile her with the woman I loved.

“It was conceivable that the party girl did take the money and run to Cabo. You never called to contradict the story. I didn’t know what was real, and it screwed with my head every time I thought of you. Eventually, I tried not to think about you at all.” 

“Great,” she said, her heart in her throat, choking her almost as badly as his words. “Because I never stopped thinking about you. See, more regrets. Had I just talked to you that day—” 

“We’d have argued.” Zig dropped his arms to his sides and closed the distance between them. “We’d have fought and you’d have still left. I might have chased you, but I couldn’t have stayed in Mexico for four years. We’d have still broken up because eight years ago, we were children trying to act like adults. Today, you’re a woman and I’m a man.” 

“So that’s it? Eight years of pain was for nothing?” Karma didn’t know whether to laugh or cry or kick Zig in the balls.

“No, not for nothing. We had to take separate journeys to get here, to this moment. So I could apologize to you for not fighting harder. Being too young and stupid to see you needed me, even when you thought you didn’t. I’m sorry, Carmelita. Truly sorry.” 

“I’m sorry too,” she said, the fight drained out of her. She’d lost him so long ago but at least she could start over knowing he didn’t hate her anymore. 

“No more apologies, Karma.” Then he silenced her by brushing his lips gently over hers. 

It wasn’t a kiss of old lovers reunited. But it could have been. 

It wasn’t a kiss of promise. But it might have been. 

It wasn’t a kiss of passion. But it was. 

It was all those things and more. The feel of his soft mouth on hers, was old and new, and more than she could have hoped for.

Get Harmonized on your e-reader of choice:   Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Books-A-Million     iBooks

You can find Mary on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or her website, marybehre.com

Payson Book FestivalTalk about manic weeks… When I’m not at work, I’ll be running around getting ready for the first-ever Payson Book Festival.

The festival is Saturday, July 25,  from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Gila Community College, 201 N. Mud Springs Road, Payson, Arizona. All kinds of authors will be there. I’m sharing a table with RWA chapter mate Susan Haught.

Activities will include:

  • Book readings by authors
  • Storytelling for kids
  • Book signings
  • Author exhibit tables
  • Local food vendors
  • Musical entertainment

I’m looking forward to interacting with readers, for sure! If you’re in Arizona, plan on stopping by. It’s a beautiful time of year for a road trip to Payson!

Speaking of getting ready, I had to unearth my box of bookmarks and business cards. I hadn’t seen it since my move, and I had a moment of sheer panic last Thursday when I couldn’t find it immediately.

It’s my own fault, really. I snagged boxes from the Daily Sun office for my move. They were the perfect size — big enough to hold books and/or videos without being too heavy to move once filled. And they’re all stamped “Sedona Visitor’s Guide.” So I have a couple dozen boxes all with the same label … with no idea what’s actually in them. (Yeah, that’s a solid argument for labeling boxes as I pack them. I did that at first. Alas, when moving day came and we were still throwing stuff in boxes, the labels went by the wayside.)

Finally, I found my author promo items. Some other crap from my computer desk had been dumped on top of the precious stuff I sought.

My stash

If you stop by to see me Saturday, I’ll autograph a bookmark for you. I’ll also have copies of BLIND DATE BRIDE and HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS for sale.

Ready for Payson Book Festival

I got to know Lynn Cahoon, a fellow member of the LaLaLas, at RWA Nationals in San Antonio last summer. Has it really been nearly a year? Yikes. How time flies.

We share a birthday and a love of the support of our LaLaLa sisters. Read more about the LaLaLas here.

Lynn Cahoon Lynn is, according to her rather impressive bio, a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. An Idaho expat, she grew up living the small town life she now loves to write about. Currently, she’s living with her husband and two fur babies in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. Guidebook to Murder, Book 1 of the Tourist Trap series, won the 2015 Reader’s Crown award for Mystery Fiction.

She also writes romance. Her Bull Rider’s Collection is waiting TBR on my Kindle.

Here’s the blurb for her newest release, DRESSED TO KILL:

Dressed to Kill | Lynn CahoonJill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More in the tucked-away town of South Cove, California—is not particularly thrilled to be portraying a twenties flapper for the dinner theater murder mystery. Though it is for charity…

Of course everyone is expecting a “dead” body at the dress rehearsal…but this one isn’t acting! It turns out the main suspect is the late actor’s conniving girlfriend Sherry…who also happens to be the ex-wife of Jill’s main squeeze. Sherry is definitely a master manipulator…but is she a killer? Jill may discover the truth only when the curtain comes up on the final act…and by then, it may be far too late.

Now, on to a round of “This or That.” Please excuse me for having some of the same questions this week as last. I sent them to the authors at different times, but apparently they’re some of my favorites.

Snack of choice: Sweet or salty? Salty, but I LOVE chocolate covered Pretzels.

Car or truck? Ha – SUV. I just got an Equinox and I love it.

Honkin’ big purse or barely-there bag? Big purse, the bigger the better.

Vacation time: Beach or mountains? Since we just bought property up in the woods in central MO, I guess I better say mountains. 🙂

Would you rather travel to the past or the future? Hard one. I’ll say the past. I’d love to meet my parents when they were first together.

Kirk or Picard? Picard, definitely.

If you’d like to get in touch with Lynn,  check out these e-spaces:

Online: www.lynncahoon.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lynncahoon/