Welcome.

I'm glad you stopped by. I hope you'll stop by again.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

#WeWriWa: THE PROTECTOR Where Dillan's Heart Lies


Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

Congratulations to our own Hywela Lynn for winning Mid-Michigan RWA's Best Banter Contest: Paranormal Romance. Yay!

Sorry for missing last week. I was out of town at a book event, followed by a mini-vacation. I'm back with another excerpt from The Protector (An Outer Rim Novel: Book 3). When we left off two weeks ago, Rissa and her friend Fortuna (a pleasure house madam) are in Rissa's kitchen discussing the rescue of the children when Dillan shows up. Next thing he knows, her bartender (and self-appointed bodyguard) holds a knife to his throat. Despite his beard and overlong hair, Fortuna is the first to recognize him. 

While Dillan disentangled Fortuna’s arms, Rissa sat back down at the island—she did not look pleased. He could hope her tight expression was jealousy, but it probably wasn’t.
Rissa sighed, “Kiran, it’s okay, go back to bed, thanks for being so vigilant. This is one offworlder I can handle.”
“Oh, please, let me handle him,” Fortuna cooed.
While she was a beautiful fem, she did nothing to turn him on, even when she kissed him again and pressed her lush body against his. His attention centered on Rissa.
When Fortuna noticed the direction of his gaze, she huffed, “Oh, pooh, same old, same old. I’ll leave you two alone to get . . . reacquainted.”




Who knew rescuing two girls from traffickers would bring down a world of hurt?

After tavern owner Rissa Dix rescues two girls from a slave ship, she must rally the townsfolk to prevent traffickers from returning. Mining heir Dillan Rusteran has loved her for years. Little do they know that by rescuing more children they're tangling with a galactic trafficking ring.

Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ B&N ~ iTunes





Thursday, September 28, 2017

Kara O'Neal Reveals All: The Ranger's Vow @KaraOnealAuthor

My guest today is the lovely Kara O'Neal. We met through that wonderfully supportive group Authors Helping Authors. Here's Kara to tell us about her newest release, The Ranger’s Vow (Book 9 in the Pikes Run Series).



Why I Wrote This Book

I wrote The Ranger’s Vow to showcase Sherry Forrester. She is a risk-taker and unapologetic about it. She is caring, kind, feisty and intelligent. I first met her in Book 2 – The Sheriff’s Gift – and I had to know more. I couldn’t help but delve into her personality – a woman who is unafraid to take what she wants – and put her in a situation where she was challenged. For, while she is fearless when it comes to being exactly who she wants to be, she is terrified of heartbreak and trusting someone not to cage her.

So, I had to write a hero who matched her, a man she could depend on, trust and someone she would fight for if needed. Enter Luke Calhoun, Texas Ranger – a man who abhors love for solid reasons. Sherry is almost too much for him to handle, which was a lot of fun to write.

I adore honest characters, ones who have flaws and try hard to fix them. Sherry and Luke are a bold couple, who defy the bounds of society in the 1880s and grab life with both hands. I enjoyed getting to know them and I hope you will too.

Blurb:
Sherry Forrester has her life just as she wants it. No attachments. No pressure from her parents to marry. A little bit of money and the freedom to be the lady she desires. When a stranger rolls into town, mysterious and gorgeous, her interest is piqued. Sherry swore she wouldn't give away her heart, but she longs for one night of passion, and the newcomer is perfectly capable of supplying that.

Texas Ranger Luke "Rip" Calhoun is hoping for a few diverting weeks in Pikes Run. Along with promising to help the local sheriff catch a wily garter thief, he looks for challenging card games, good whiskey and a willing woman. When Sherry Forrester catches his eye—who wouldn't want her after stumbling upon her skinny dipping?—he does the hardest thing ever and waits for her to choose him to warm her sheets for a night. And only one night. For Luke made a long-ago vow never to let love ensnare him.

But what neither plans on is the hand of fate changing their paths…

Excerpt:
Luke caught a flash of pale skin as someone arced beneath the water. His breath stilled when the figure broke the surface, revealing a woman about twenty yards from him swimming to the opposite bank. Luke froze, careful not to move a single muscle lest this be a dream and he woke.

All he could see of the woman was her head as she glided away from his side of the creek. Was she naked? He glanced toward the other side and discovered clothes folded on a rock. He could determine the colors, and white peeked between light blue fabric. He knew plenty about women’s garments, and most of their underthings were white pieces of angelic sweetness. Which meant the lady enjoying the water was as bare as could be.

A smile tugged the corners of his lips, but before he could be accused of peeking more than he already had, he dismounted and used his horse to hide her from his view. At the moment, he couldn’t pull Zeus away for anything, so Luke was stuck until the animal decided he was finished. Of course, Luke didn’t want to leave. While he couldn’t see, and hadn’t seen a damn thing, it was nice being near a woman who courted risk and went skinny dipping.

Hell, there was nothing between her and that water. Not one stitch. His mind conjured all sorts of images as the sounds of her body cutting through the stream reached him.
When a screech met his ears, he knew she’d caught sight of the drinking horse and perhaps its owner’s legs. He let out an exhale and waited for the outburst.

“Who’s there?” she cried. “You get out of here.”

He should, but he wouldn’t. He was never more grateful for his stubborn mount. “I can’t, ma’am. My horse has a mind of his own.”

“Ha! A gentleman would find a way.”

He used his bandana to wipe his brow as he remained hunched over in order to keep hidden. “A man has to take care of his horse, ma’am. Can’t survive without him.”
There was a splash. Had she left the creek—or hit the surface with an irritated hand?

“A convenient excuse so you can spy on me.”

He chuckled. “Ma’am, I can’t see, and didn’t see, one thing, I assure you.”

“You assure me? And what good is that? I don’t even know who you are.”

Damn, but he wished he could look at her. “Nope, you don’t.”

A silent moment, then, “That’s it? You aren’t gonna tell me your name?”

“You gonna tell me yours?”

“Not on your life. Why would I let some drifter know who I am?”

“Drifter? Is that what I am?” He’d been called worse.

“Well, how would I know?”

“Then why’d you call me that?”

Zeus lifted his head, looking toward the lady who shared his creek. Luke kept himself from pushing the horse’s nose back to the water in order to prolong this moment normally only possible in nighttime fantasies. Of course, in his dream the lady usually invited him in.

“Would a gentleman spy on a woman as she bathed?”

“If he’s smart, he would.”

“Ha! So you did peek.”

He grinned and watched a grasshopper jump over the toe of his boot. “I admit I looked, but it’s just my luck I couldn’t see anything. You’re too far away.”

Zeus snuffled then turned his head toward his master. He blinked at Luke as if he wondered what the hell the woman was doing skinny dipping in his drinking water. Luke stroked the black then exhaled. He’d have to leave this sprite.

“I feel sorry for you that you didn’t manage to see anything,” she continued, her tone without an ounce of pity. “I don’t mind telling you I’m as pretty as a picture.”

He laughed outright. “I’ve no doubt of that, ma’am, and I can promise you my mind paints a perfect image, so don’t you fret.” He tugged on Zeus’ reins.

She made a noise that was half-laugh, half-disbelief.

He left the idyllic setting, Zeus following behind him. A smile stayed on his lips as he mounted up once he was out of her line of sight. What a damn fine welcome.

Bio:
Born and raised in Texas, the state had to be the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Please visit me at www.karaoneal.com.

Links, etc:
My website: www.karaoneal.com.


Thanks, Kara, for sharing The Ranger's Vow. Best wishes.


Monday, September 25, 2017

Mini-Vacation

I talked Hubs into going with me to a book event on Saturday. We both love Up North (Michigan's northern lower peninsula), so when I scheduled to attend the Alpena Book Festival in Alpena, Michigan, he was game. While I participated in panel discussions, he explored this lovely port city on Lake Huron. We met up for lunch, then he took off to explore more.

This is my 2nd year at the Book Festival put on by the Alpena Public Library and a great many volunteers, including the Blue Phoenix Bookstore where my books were for sale. Meeting readers and other authors, some of whom I'd met last year, was the best part of the event.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. High eighties/low nineties with high humidity. Only the most hardy strolled downtown Alpena. Unlike last year, when the weather was more like Fall than Summer. But those who attended were great readers who asked many questions during the discussions. For the panels I was on, we had a great moderator. Mark (who wanted to remain anonymous and wouldn't tell us his last name) kept the discussions going with terrific questions and made sure all the authors participated. 

Hubs visited the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. His love of maritime history made the former a good choice. The Besser Museum provided much info about the area, which he also enjoyed.


We left Alpena and headed for Mackinaw City. There, according to Hubs, I got my bridge fix. I love looking at the Mackinac Bridge. (Did you notice the spelling differences? It's Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, but Mackinaw City. They are all pronounced the same as Mackinaw City.) On Sunday morning, we drove to a small park that has the best view of the bridge. I was totally surprised by how calm the water (Lake Huron) was. In fact, if you look carefully at the picture, you can see the reflection of the pylons. I have never seen that before. BTW, the bridge isn't leaning. LOL Just me.

Yesterday, we wandered around Mackinaw City, did a little shopping, but the heat and humidity were too much for walking. They say a break is as good as a rest. We had a nice 4-day break from the every day. Mixed a little business with a little vacation. Too early for the trees to change color yet. Maybe next month.

Where do you go for a break?


Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Science Fiction Romance #SALE

www.smschmitz.com/promo

Ready to load up on Science Fiction Romance books? Big Sale. Some are free; others are 99 cents.

You can find two of my books there for 99 cents each.





The Pilot, a stand alone book, kicks off the Outer Rim series about strong women on the frontier of space.

Sparks fly around the Outer Rim when rule-bound Administrator Trevarr Jovano clashes with free-spirited space pilot Celara d'Enfaden. She must deliver her cargo or lose her ship to a loanshark. Having lost her last shipment to pirates masquerading as Coalition Inspectors, Celara refuses to be duped again. Determined to make an example of those who flaunt the law, Trevarr seizes her ship. Yet, they must work together to rescue her brother and find his wife's murderer.



Kidnapped by aliens? By mistake?

When wise-cracking Jessie Wyndom is beamed from her farmhouse in Ann Arbor, MI aboard an Alliance starship, she meets a regular Mr. Spock. Captain Marcus Viator's well-organized life is turned upside down by a free-spirited Terran. Fate brings them together. Treachery tears them apart.

Switched was my first published novel. Because of that, it has a special place in my heart.


Many of my favorite authors also have books in the sale. Now's a great time to load up your e-reader with stories that are out of this world.




Monday, September 18, 2017

I'm Back



It's been way too long since my last Monday Morning Musing post. If you've followed any of my posts on other blogs (Paranormal Romantics and The Roses of Prose) you know my summer was chaos. Our no-longer-in-Arizona family, Son, DIL, Toddler Girl, and their two dogs--Big (Lab) and Bigger (Great Dane) lived with us for two months while they searched for a house nearby. Happily, we all survived and are still friends. LOL What a wonderful bonding, esp. with Toddler Girl.

Knowing that our routine would be non-existent, I decided I wouldn't stress out over not writing, that included this weekly blog. I just enjoyed each day. They now have a house (about 2 miles from us). We all have our own space again. Although Son and DIL had jobs to go to each day, our house isn't large. In fact, it's just right for two people. But . . .

The best part was getting to know our daughter-in-law better. I am so blessed. Smart Son for marrying her. The time with Toddler Girl was marvelous. Watching her vocabulary grow and her imagination develop made me so proud. Signs of the "terrible two's" began near the end of their stay. Thank Goodness. LOL She's still such a sweetie. The older grandkids had a great time with her. I wasn't surprised at how the oldest (10) enjoyed playing with her cousin. The surprise came when I saw how nurturing the 7.5 year old was. I thought he would (sort of) ignore her since she's a girl. He didn't. He helped her make a spaceship out of a box, helped her decorate it, and together they "zoomed" into outer space. As for Toddler Girl, she is madly in love with her cousins.

Now that everyone is settled (sort of) in their respective homes, school has started, and so have routines. I'm back to writing in the mornings. Before summer began, I was writing a novella that takes place in Far Haven (the fictional resort town on Lake Michigan, home of Alex O'Hara, PI). I was a little over a third into the story. Now I have the last big scene to write and the ending. Then it's editing, revising, and proofing before it goes to my freelance editor. I hope to have From Jailbirds to Wedding Bells available in November.

Along with keeping stress out of my life by not writing this blog, I also didn't plan to write much during the family stay. Then one of the authors who's part of the group newsletter I participate in thought of a great idea. (She thought it was great. LOL) We'd all submit a short story for an anthology that we'd give away to new subscribers to our newsletter, because we all have a short story or two laying around. Right? Not me. And I had to write it in a month. Yikes! I took another character from Far Haven and wrote a short mystery. As soon as it's available, I'll let you know.


I lined up a few book festivals to participate in. They are listed on my website. This Saturday (Sept. 23) I'll be at the Alpena (MI) Book Festival. I did this all-day event last year and had a wonderful time. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hi.

This Wednesday, I'll begin a new venture as a contributor to an online magazine, Pandora's Box Gazette. My column on Family Life will appear on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Busy, busy, busy. I'm having a great time writing and more fun talking (either in person or online) with so many terrific people.

How was your summer?


Saturday, September 16, 2017

#WeWriWa - THE PROTECTOR:


Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I'm sharing another snippet from my sci-fi romance, THE PROTECTOR. In last week's post, the tall stranger from the spaceport shows up at Rissa's tavern, interrupting her and Fortuna's discussion about the rescued children. Kiran, the bartender, creeps up behind him and holds a knife to his neck. Dillan speaks first.
 
“Sorry, Rissa, Fortuna, guess I should have knocked.”
The three turned suspicious eyes on him, Rissa responded first with, “How do you know our names?”
“Yeah, Offworlder,” Kiran said, “how do you know their names?”
Dillan didn’t think a funny quip, like ones he’d given them six years ago, would work this time—not with the big Zebori warrior looking like he wanted to gut him with the knife he'd lowered at Rissa's motion.
“I used to come here, a long time ago--" he placed his hand over his heart “--I’m hurt, truly hurt, you don’t remember.”
“By the stars, it’s Rusteran!” Fortuna nearly tripped in her rush to get to him, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled down his head.
Dillan enjoyed her enthusiastic kiss—it just wasn’t the one he wanted.


Who knew rescuing two girls from traffickers would bring down a world of hurt?

After tavern owner Rissa Dix rescues two girls from a slave ship, she must rally the townsfolk to prevent traffickers from returning. Mining heir Dillan Rusteran has loved her for years. Little do they know that by rescuing more children they're tangling with a galactic trafficking ring.

Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ B&N ~ iTunes




 

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Spotlight on SWEET SACRIFICE by L.D. Rose


SWEET SACRIFICE by L.D. Rose

Heaven is hell without her.

Blurb:
Former Navy SEAL Sebastian “Bash” Lockard died in Afghanistan after leaping on a grenade to save his comrades. Little did he know his act of heroism would grant him a ticket into Heaven’s elite army as one of the few and powerful Archangels. Struggling with his new existence, Bash still retains his human memories, leaving behind a wife he loves with all of his heart. Although he’s forbidden to see her, he can’t resist her lure, or the mortal desires he harbors for her.

As a young widow and nurse, Irene Lockard still mourns her husband two years after his untimely death. His absence is everywhere, and when her best friend weds, she hits an emotional rock bottom. As if summoned from the skies above, Sebastian appears before her, and they share an unforgettable night. But when he once again vanishes, she wonders if she’s truly gone mad with grief.

The only way Sebastian can remain with Irene is if he makes the ultimate sacrifice. But will she overcome her fear of losing him again to another war?


Links:


Snippet:
Bash’s gaze caught on a couple on the dance floor, the sight of her sinking into him like hooks and bringing him to a standstill.

With her dark curls springing over her shoulders, she spun across the hardwood, her pale gray dress flowing around her. Much like in his recent vision of her, she tipped her head back and laughed, beautiful, stunning, her smile as bright as the yellow calla lilies tucked in her hair. She swayed with a man in dress whites, a Marine, another fucking soldier she didn’t belong with. And as the rain of realization became a downpour of comprehension, he remembered the engagement, where Claude proposed to Lucille—at their wedding—right before Bash left for another tour of Afghanistan.

“Bash?” Gabriel stepped in front of him, blocking his view, pale eyes narrowed.

Bash’s hand slammed into Gabriel’s chest, pushing him away as he lurched forward. Gabriel reacted faster, though, snatching his arm and wrenching him back at least four feet. Bash lunged again and the Arc’s hand fisted in his white button-down shirt.

“Don’t,” Gabriel growled, all humor draining from his angular face and setting his expression in stone. “Do not.”

Bash’s heart punched at the angel’s fist, every fiber of his being burning with the urge to run to her, to wrap his arms around her and feel her body against his one more time. Envy, rage, longing, and sadness blasted through him in a toxic tornado of emotion ready to whip this place into oblivion.

He nearly ground his molars into pulp. “Let. Me. Go.”

“You are dead, Sebastian. You’re no longer part of this world. All you’ll do is bring her pain, bring yourself pain. Don’t do this.” Twin streams of air whistled from the Arc’s nostrils as he shook his head. “I should’ve never brought you here.”

Bring him pain? More pain than he’d already endured? No.

No.



Bio:
L.D. Rose is a neurotic physician by day, crazed writer by night, and all around wannabe superhero. She writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but she's been known to delve into horror, sci-fi, and medical suspense on occasion. L.D. Rose is a PAN member of the RWA, FF&P, NEC-RWA and CoLoNY. She currently lives in Rhode Island with her studly hubby, her hyperactive boxer, and her two devious cats.

Sign up for her newsletter for the latest on the Senary, sneak peeks, giveaways, and other fun stuff: http://eepurl.com/bKvuXD. You'll receive a free horror short story with sign-up!

You can also join her reader group on FB for more shenanigans. ;) DEVOUR THE NIGHT: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1544747369161573/

Where else to find her:

Website: www.writerldrose.com
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/ldrose



Saturday, September 9, 2017

#WeWriWa: THE PROTECTOR - Surprise Visitor #sfr


Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors where authors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

I'm sharing another snippet from my sci-fi romance, THE PROTECTOR. In last week's post, Rissa and her friend Fortuna were discussing what to do next with the rescued children. The last line was Rissa's, “Why does everyone think know what to do?” This snippet picks right up.

Fortuna reached across the counter and patted Rissa’s hand, “Because you always come through with a plan.”
“Yeah, and everyone wants me to make all the decisions,” She blew out a breath, “if only they’d listened to me before.”
“They’ll listen to you now—you’ll need to call a town meeting.” With a look of chagrin, Fortuna amended, “The merchants, Barlen, and I will contact the town folk. It will be all right, you won’t have to carry this burden all by yourself.”
“What burden?” The tall man from the spaceport stood in the doorway to the bar.
Kiran crept up behind him and held his long knife against the man’s throat beneath his beard. “Hold it, Offworlder, you’d better have a damn good reason for sneaking in here.”


Who knew rescuing two girls from traffickers would bring down a world of hurt?

After tavern owner Rissa Dix rescues two girls from a slave ship, she must rally the townsfolk to prevent traffickers from returning. Mining heir Dillan Rusteran has loved her for years. Little do they know that by rescuing more children they're tangling with a galactic trafficking ring.

Amazon ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ B&N ~ iTunes



I'll be gone all day Sunday. I will eventually to get all your blogs, but it may take a couple of days. I really enjoy your snippets.


Thursday, September 7, 2017

Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband by Maris Soule Blog Tour & #Giveaway

Long-time friend and colleague, Maris Soule, is here celebrating her re-release of Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband. As part of her blog tour, she's here to tell us how this story came about.


Maris says:

Looking back over the twenty-five romances I’ve written, I believe Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband is the most comedic. This book was one of the early releases published under Silhouette’s short-lived Yours Truly line. When my editor told me they were starting a new line featuring heroines dating several men before finding Mr. Right, I immediately thought of my own dating experiences. Some were definitely humorous. The men I dated weren’t terrible, not as bad as one of the characters in Heiress, but a short time into the date, I could tell we weren’t a match.

For Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband, I needed a reason why my heroine, Shannon Powell, would be dating one man after another, and a reason why she wouldn’t realize Clint Dawson was her Mr. Right. I also wanted him nearby when she went out with these different men. Making her a young widow and very wealthy would partially fulfill those requirements. He could be her bodyguard. But would my young (in her twenties) widow want another man along when she went out on dates?

I didn’t think so.

But what if she thought he was merely her chauffeur? He might drive her to some of these first dates, and if he didn’t drive, he’d could be around when her dates picked her up. She didn’t need to know he was following her.

Except if she saw him.

Here’s an excerpt from Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband. Shannon is on a date, having dinner with one of her suitors. She thinks she saw Clint standing near the public telephone, but she’s not sure until two women walk by her table and she overhears their conversation.

Read an Excerpt

“Did you see that guy by the telephone?” a young woman passing their table said to the woman with her.
The other woman nodded. “Looked like the bouncer. Did you see the nose?”
Shannon quickly glanced the direction they’d come. She caught a glimpse of a black T-shirt, a broad shoulder and a hairy, muscular arm. Just a glimpse, but she had a feeling she knew exactly who the “bouncer with the nose” was. Pushing back her chair, she stood. “Excuse me, Martin. I need to use the powder room.”
***

Clint knew he had to move and fast. What he needed was superhuman powers. A cloak of invisibility or the ability to cloud minds. What he got was an overweight woman in a flowered dress on her way to the bathroom.
The moment she passed the telephone, Clint stepped forward, slouching so he used her bulk as a camouflage. “What the . . . ?” she said, coming to a full stop before she reached the bathroom door.
He was close enough, he decided, and took off before the woman finished. Not even glancing Shannon’s way, he rushed through the side door to the kitchen . . . and straight into one of the cooks.
Shannon heard the clatter of pots and pans. In front of her stood an overweight woman. The woman was staring at a door at the end of the hallway and whimpering.
“Excuse me,” Shannon said, knowing she could never get by unless the woman moved.
“I . . . I—” The woman looked down at the floor near her feet, then stepped aside.
The moment Shannon pushed open the door to the kitchen, she saw the mess. In front of her a cook was picking up pans and lids, grumbling under his breath. Another looked her way and shook a fist. “Wrong door!” he yelled. “Not for patrons!”

I was sorry to see the Yours Truly line fold. I don’t know if they didn’t have enough writers who wanted to write books of this nature, or if the line didn’t catch on with readers, but I only had two books published with them. Of the two, Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband is my favorite.

The e-book version is on-sale from September 4th – 9th for .99 cents. Pick up a copy if you’d like to read more about Clint’s efforts to protect Shannon without letting her know how he feels about her.


Heiress Seeking Perfect Husband
$0.99 for a Limited Time
by Maris Soule
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: October 11, 2016
Page Length: 182

Shannon Powell thinks the interview is over when she mentions that her late husband never wrote her love letters. She isn’t prepared for a headline that says, “Heiress Wants Love Letters.” When the letters start arriving, she decides to answer a few…to even meet some of the men.

Clint Dawson isn’t sure what to do. His title is chauffeur, but Shannon’s late husband actually hired Clint to be her bodyguard. She’s said she doesn’t need a bodyguard and has threatened to fire him if that’s his job, which means he must keep Shannon from seeing him as he follows her on her dates. What’s worse, Clint ends up writing letters for one of the would-be suitors. It’s Cyrano de Bergerac all over again as Clint writes the words he’d love to tell her in person, if he only felt worthy.

Follow Along

Monday, September 4th
Books, Dreams, Life - Spotlight

Tuesday, September 5th
Authors' Cafe - Spotlight

Wednesday, September 6th
Creative Hodgepodge - Book Review & Guest Post

Thursday, September 7th

Friday, September 8th
Melissa Keir - Spotlight
Loren E. Pryce - Spotlight

Saturday, September 9th



About Maris Soule

I love living in a small, rural town

My first twelve years were spent growing up in Walnut Creek, California (when Walnut Creek was still a small town), and I have childhood memories of catching pollywogs in the creek that ran by us, of being able to pick ripe peaches from the trees on our two acres (also almonds, pears, English walnuts, apricots, and more); and sitting in my “thinking” tree making up stories. When I married my husband, I was going to U.C. Santa Barbara, but two years later we decided to move to Michigan. It was supposed to be a short-term move (just a couple years, my husband said). I won’t tell you how many years we’ve now lived in Michigan, but we now have grown children and teenage granddaughters. I haven’t regretted the move. Michigan is a beautiful state, and for 27 years we lived in the rural community of Climax. What a perfect location for a romance writer, and what a neat place to plot a mystery with a lot of suspense. (Yes, there are some similarities between the real Climax and my imaginary Zenith in The Crows, As the Crow Flies, and Eat Crow and Die, but the events and people in those books are definitely fictional.)

I love animals

I fell in love with the Rhodesian Ridgeback the first time I saw one at a dog show. I love their temperament, their intelligence, and their personalities. Over the years I’ve owned several: It seemed natural to use a Ridgeback puppy in my “Crows”books. We’ve also owned hunting dogs (my husband’s), German Shepherds, and now a poodle.

When we lived near Climax, we owned horses and raised (at various times) chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, goats, and even one steer. I would say we also owned many cats, but I think they owned us.

I love being near the water

We’ve now moved close to Lake Michigan (so my husband is near his sailboat), and we spend our winters in Florida, not far from the Gulf Coast. Both locations feed my love of being near water (remember that creek I played in and Santa Barbara) and are ideal places to nurture my desire to write.

I love happy (or at least satisfying) endings

Whether I’m writing or reading a romance, a mystery, or a combination of the two, I want a satisfying ending (girl gets guy and/or good guys get bad guys). For my books, I’m probably going to include an animal or two and there’s a good chance the characters will live in the country, the mountains, or near water. I’ve often used Michigan and California as settings, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida shows up in a future book.

I’m sometimes asked if the characters in my books are based on me or someone I know. My answer is: Maybe bits and pieces, but my protagonists are always braver and smarter than I am (along with younger) and the antagonists are always nastier than the people I’ve known.



The Giveaway

(2) $10 Amazon Gift Cards

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Novel Book Tours