WINTER WARM UP BLOG HOP

Hello, and welcome to the Winter Warm Up Blog Hop! Dec. 19 - 22.

My name is Joanne C. Berroa and I write historical and contemporary romances. I'm a stickler for a happy ending. I wish real life could have happy endings, but alas, it wouldn't be real life if happy endings were a certainty. That's why people read--to escape real life knowing that no matter what the hero and heroine go through in their adventures, they will wind up together and happy. My wish for each of you in this holiday season is for a "happily ever after" ending in each of your lives. May all your wishes come true!

So why not curl up by the fireplace with your Kindle or Nook, or even your laptop, and read a good book. May I suggest my latest release from Rebel Ink Press entitled "Rapture on the High Seas?" It's a modern day pirate adventure. It's a novella, so it's a quick read. And it's guaranteed to give you a happy ending!!!

Please read the following information for Rapture on the High Seas. It's available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as All Romance ebooks for $2.99. I'm also giving away a free ebook copy to one lucky winner who leaves a comment here on my blog site. Remember to leave your email address as well so I can notify you if you're the winner. In addition to my giveaway, you can enter on Rafflecopter for a grand prize - a $75 Amazon Gift Card.

RAPTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS:

 Blurb:

Laurel Vanderman Delacroix is the daughter of billionaire Victor Vanderman, owner and CEO of multi-national World One Bank. Although Laurel has a high level job within the family business, her life is unfulfilled, and she takes an extended African vacation with friends aboard her multi-million dollar yacht. She never expects to be hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, some three hundred miles out in International waters off the coast of Tanzania. She has no way of knowing that this is no random act of piracy. Someone who wants to bankrupt her father set the hijacking in motion, and the perpetrator doesn’t care what happens to Laurel and her friends in the process.

The Somali pirate leader who captures Laurel and her friends aboard Bubbles is extremely competent and dangerous, which makes him a force to be reckoned with. He’s also an astute businessman with millions in his Swiss bank account. Will this Somali pirate carry out his mission and put Laurel’s and her friends’ lives on the line, or does he subscribe to another agenda? Will he capture Laurel’s heart along with his ransom demands, or completely destroy it?

Rapture on the High Seas is a contemporary story of intrigue and betrayal. Above all else, it’s a sensual tale of love that’ll leave you feeling warm all over and believing that nothing is ever as it seems.

Excerpt:

His scowl made her heart hammer and he crossed the distance between them with panther-like grace. Before she could blink, a six inch blade materialized in his right hand and with a flash, he yanked the sheet away from her and slashed the scanty material at the center of her bra, severing it. Rendered with precision and skill, she felt no pain and the knife drew no blood, but the bra fell open, exposing Laurel’s upturned breasts to his lascivious gaze. She gasped. The haughty pirate touched the tip of the knife to his lips and licked it as though it had just sliced through a savory steak. His face harbored a smug smile. “That could’ve been your throat, Mrs. Delacroix. Luckily I was aiming a bit lower.”

Buy at :

Amazon

There are lots of great authors participating in this blog hop today. Feel free to visit their sites, too, and each of them will have some giveaway or contest. Thank you for "hopping" by and best wishes to you.
Go back to other authors participating in blog hop:
www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3ad276f824/?%20

Picking a time period and location to write about

People have asked me how do I pick a location and/or time period for a new story? Well, that's the fun part! I do my best thinking lying in bed just before falling asleep. Often my head is so full of ideas and thoughts I never fall asleep! Basically, I think of a time and place I would have liked to live, such as Medieval Times in England. Or back in biblical times. The characters come easily once I know where and when I'd like to write about because the characters are born from the era. If I'm writing about a war, it stands to reason one of my main characters will a soldier. I've written two novels with military heroes, My Life, My Heart and On Angels' Wings.

Then I keep a file with new ideas and a working synopsis of each idea for future projects. If I'm in bed when I devise a plot, I get up and write it down so as not to forget it by the next morning. Many ideas for novels have come to me that way.

Picking a location is half the fun of writing. It allows me to live vicariously through my characters and my plots. It's like living a multitude of life times! The writer's life is great!

Exciting New Release!

My dear friend and fellow author Kathleen Ann Gallagher is celebrating the release on 8/4/14 of her newest book entitled "A Summer's Enchantment." I was lucky to host her on release day. Please enjoy reading all about her newest creation!

BLURB ~ A SUMMER’S ENCHANTMENT

Cassandra Wales, an independent and determined registered nurse finds her plans for the future shattered when her boyfriend dumps her.  Her witchcraft made him squirm and she wasn’t changing for him. The move into her new home keeps her distracted, but she’ll be sure to keep an eye out for red flags next time. When an elderly woman shows up at her doorstep and makes an odd request, she comes face to face the woman’s hot and sexy grandson.  He convinces her to come to see his band play. Will she be able to trust a man who has women begging for his attention?

Jake Hill is an ambitious, up and coming lead singer in a rock band. When his grandmother asks him to take her over to her first home, he doesn’t question her motives. Instead, he meets the woman of his dreams. Will she stick around while he climbs the ladder in the exciting world of a rock star?

 How will Jake find the time to nurture a relationship when his music takes top billing? Can the passion between them be enough to lead the way, or will fear of failure take control of their destiny?

EXCERPT:

The DJ played ‘Always’ by Bon Jovi. “I love this song. It’s one of my favorites.

“Let’s dance.” Jake took her by the hand. He led her to the dance floor, and they found a

spot in the far corner, away from the crowd. With their bodies close, they moved as if they’d

danced together before. Each movement was slow and seductive. She placed her head on his

shoulder, ran her hand across his chest and down to his arm. His breathing sped up as she snuggled

up against his cheek.

“You’re driving me crazy.” Jake whispered in her ear.

Her fingertips were bursting with desire as she caressed his back, making her delirious with

longing. Lost in his tender embrace, she felt the warmth emerge between her legs. It felt like they

were alone on a desert island, and she wanted nothing more but to rip his clothes off. It was the

most sensual dance she’d ever experience. If a slow dance was this good, the sex would be

unbelievable. She secretly imagined his lips trailing down her chest to her breasts. His moans

tantalized her. Jake buried his face in her neck and she responded with uninhibited whimpers. He

sang the song nuzzled up against her ear, making her lightheaded. It didn’t scare her; it felt

wonderful.

When the song ended, they remained enveloped in each other’s arms. Jake pulled back, but

kept his arms around her waist. “You’re amazing. I’m happy I gave my grandmother a ride the

other day. Thank God for her dream about my grandfather.”

“Speaking about your grandfather, I think he’s come back to his old house for a visit.”

“What do you mean? Come on, let’s sit a minute.” He took her by the hand and guided her

back to the table. He moved close to her.

“Now, what were you saying?”

Links

            Buy link http://bit.ly/1mV4VKu

Blog http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/?zx=a7245435c3267ac9

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.a.gallagher

Website http://www.kathleenanngallagher.net/

Twitter https://twitter.com/Kathleenwrites

Author page https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathleenAnnGallagher

Google https://plus.google.com/u/0/117606070036565136137/posts

BIO

Kathleen lives in New Jersey with her husband and their two dogs. She’s a registered nurse who works in an emergency room. Writing has been her passion since she was a young girl. Contemporary and paranormal romance are her favorites. She has three adult children and three lovable grandsons. Her favorite romantic getaway is Cape May, New Jersey. You might find Kathleen on a beach down the Jersey Shore, wearing a straw hat, sipping on an iced tea, dreaming up her next romance novel. 

Thank you, Kathleen, for the privilege of hosting you.....Joanne

B

I'm Happy to Host Christine Warner

I'm glad you stopped over to read about the new novella by Christine Warner: SECRET LOVE (book one in the nostalgic Sweet Fifties romance series). Today is its release day. Please enjoy reading all about the novella and its author:

BLURB: 

Lizzie Tarleton has always done things her own way—including the time at the tender age of thirteen when she confessed to her brother’s best friend she loved him. But now she’s a new teacher at the local high school, and independent enough to know that you can’t force love. She’ll find love when the time is right—even though her parents are adamant the time is now. The only downfall to her idyllic life is the fact that her childhood crush—who broke her heart—is now her boss. If only she could stop daydreaming about him.
Wayne Whitmore grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and worked hard to get where he’s at in life. Even though he enjoys being principal at the small town high school, he dreams of coaching baseball. When his best friend asks him to watch over his little sister at her new job at Wayne’s school, he agrees. What he doesn’t count on is how she’s grown from the pig tailed kid who told him she loved him, to the woman who breaks his concentration with her beauty and smile. Unable to get over his fascination, and afraid he’ll ruin his friend’s trust, Wayne applies for his dream job—one that will take him far away.

One night while decorating the school gymnasium for an upcoming sock hop, Lizzie and Wayne find themselves alone. They share a kiss and Lizzie realizes her childhood crush for Wayne has never died. Wayne decides he doesn’t want to let Lizzie get away.

Can they come to terms with their secret love and then overcome the other secrets they are hiding in order to get what they each want? Or is their timing for love still off?

EXCERPT:

She blinked away the heat of tears forming at the back of her eyes. Their conversation had grown too serious. She needed to lighten things up a bit. “Remember when we used to play ‘What if?’”
He laughed. “What if Lizzie wore a dress?”
“Either she was going to church, or her mom was having a ladies’ social.” Lizzie giggled. “Ricky hated that game.”
“He’d get so mad when you’d start it.” He made the final cut on a small snowflake and added it to the pile before him.
“What if Wayne couldn’t throw his famous curve ball?”
“The school trophy case would be one trophy short. What if Lizzie wasn’t teaching here?”
She pouted. “She’d be sad. I have no idea what I’d be doing if I hadn’t found a job here. What does Lizzie have to do to show Wayne she thanks him?” She winked, enjoying their fun.
He cleared his throat. “What if Wayne said Lizzie owed him a kiss?”
Her belly trembled. What if?
“What if he stole one?” His voice lowered and he leaned in.
“Why don’t you find out?” she whispered.

ABOUT CHRISTINE WARNER:                          

Christine Warner is living her dream in Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.

Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing but no arithmitic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She loves to read and write about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines.

A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and her website at christine-warner.com

• Christine’s Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
• Buy links Amazon | Barnes & Noble
• Genre: Sweet Nostalgic Novella
• Length: 69 Pages
• The Sweet Fifties Series {Book 1}
• Release Date: June 9, 2014

MEET DENISEA KAMPE

Denisea Kampe writes for Rebel Ink Press and I'm happy to be hosting her today. Here she is to tell you a little about her newest release: FOR HIS COUNTRY

Twenty-seven years, more than a dozen deployments, five kids…and one missing wife.

After twenty-seven years of marriage and service to his country, Gavin McIntyre returns from what he hopes will be his last deployment before either reaching the highest attainable enlisted rank in the Marine Corps or retiring. But what he returns to leaves him flat aback with a busted mast and broken rudder. His wife is a no show for the homecoming. Using the ages old adage of improvise, adapt, and overcome, he makes his way home only to discover, she hasn’t simply forgotten to pick him up from the bus, she’s gone. In her wake, Gavin finds his home set up boot camp style and twenty dollars in the cookie jar, but any evidence he’s ever had a wife or five children with her is deplete.

Pregnant at sixteen and married to a marine in a less than romantic ceremony courtesy of the local Justice, Raylyn McIntyre has spent almost three decades playing the dutiful patriotic wife, catering to the whims of the military. She’s lost track of how many places she’s lived, how many deployments she’s endured, and how many tears she’s shed. But most of all, she’s lost track of herself. With a husband who’s so wrapped up in saving the world he can’t see he’s losing his family, Ray resorts to the one tactic he might understand…a full frontal attack with extreme prejudice, which proves to get Gavin’s waning attention.

Nothing good ever comes easy, though, and just when her choice of battle plan seems to be working, tragedy befalls their family. As Ray and Gavin struggle to find center, they also struggle with the notion that forgiveness of self is often the only path to forgiveness of another, and that path is not only bumpy but filled with pitfalls.

Excerpt:

“Meatloaf? Dear God,” Ray mumbled, buckling up.

No wonder Gavin looked at her like she’d sprouted an additional head. Meatloaf. Good grief. If she’d have been herself this morning instead of some woman she hadn’t recognized since the first of the year, she’d have skipped the meatloaf, had the curtains hemmed by noon, and would have had one of Gavin’s favorite meals ready and waiting at five o’clock on the dot with a card, a box of cigars, and a bottle of wine. And all the cookies and cards and candies would have been mailed days ago.

But Ray wasn’t herself. Hell, she wasn’t even the woman she was almost a year ago when she went on a tirade and decided enough was enough and she had to find herself. Who she’d become since the rift between her and Gavin had widened was an empty shell of middle-aged flesh who couldn’t remember what she’d gone to the grocery for without two detailed lists in case she lost one in the process of getting to the store.

“Forget about the damn meatloaf,” Gavin said, merging into traffic and heading for the front gate. “Forget about the meatloaf, the pizza, the movie, the cookies and the damn cards. Forget about my cigars. Tonight we’re taking care of us. Period. We, I, should have been doing that more often all along. My fault…”

“So this has everything to do with making yourself feel better? Not me?” Ray accused, happy for the reprieve of wallowing in her own guilt and even happier to be able to poke at someone else’s. “To ease your own guilt because you’ve missed so many special occasions? You think one nice dinner out is supposed to fix years of forgetfulness?”

“If it makes you feel better to yell at me, go ahead,” Gavin said. “It beats the dead silence that’s hung over us ever since the first of the year. My fault? You bet your sweet ass, woman, but I’m not going to sit and stew in the guilt I could lay on myself. I’m going to fix it. And you’re going to stop feeling guilty, too. We deserve a life and damn it, we’re going to start living it.”

“You think it’s that easy?” Ray shot at him. “You think we can just decide one day okay, let’s just forget the last twenty-seven years and pow, everything is just hunky-dory?”

“No, I don’t think it’s going to be that easy, but it could be easier if you’d let it.”

“Now I’m the one being difficult?” Ray huffed and crossed her arms under her breasts. “Let me tell you, mister, you’re the one who’s been difficult.”

“Yes, I know that,” Gavin agreed.

“Oh, that’s great,” Ray snipped, steam building. “Now you think to take the wind out of my sails by being agreeable and stealing my reasons for being angry? Stop agreeing with me, it makes it difficult for me to stay pissed off!”

Purchase Links:

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/deniseakampe

ARe:  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=denisea+kampe&searchBy=author&qString=denisea+kampe

********

Born and raised in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Denisea Kampe was spinning tales before she could even spell and once her sixth grade creative writing teacher encouraged her by leaving a most prophetic comment on one of her assignments, the wheels of destiny were set in motion. But those wheels would need greased again and again as her writing would take a back seat to life and her jobs of mom and wife many times over before she’d finally see her dream of becoming a published writer come to fruition in 2010. Denisea is a military wife who’s traveled the world over. She’s lived in four states and Okinawa Japan and held more drivers’ licenses than she can count. Her nest is empty save one furry and quite mischievous Siberian Husky and one spoiled rotten Rat Terrier mix. Denisea takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around since marrying her very own fairy tale prince in dusty cammies. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance and when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum, taking field research trips, crafting, and sewing. Her works include One Tear, The Executive Officer’s Wife, Private Pirouette, and the Slower Lower series. Denisea loves to hear from her readers and can be found at deniseakampe.blogspot.com

WEBSITE   &   FACEBOOK

http://deniseakampe.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/DeniseaKampeRomanceAuthor

Rafflecopter Code:

<a id="rc-c5869e14" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c5869e14/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script> rafflecopter code

Welcome to the Spring Fling Blog Hop!

Spring is a great time to fall in love. Everything is in play: the fresh new floral blossoms, the sweet scented air, the happy tweeting of birds....you name it. Spring is a renewal, a rebirth. For those already enjoying the sweet blush of love, Spring adds sparkle. For those of us who don't have a mate, the odds are good you'll find one in the deliciousness of Spring!

In the meantime, how about reading about love? While you wait for Mr. or Ms. Right.....enjoy an exciting novel or novella about the challenges and rewards of love. Hop through the many talented authors today and see what each has to offer by way of their writings and their offerings. I am offering to one lucky winner a free ARC copy of "The Shewolf and the Priest." So please leave a comment with your email address so I can get in touch with you if you're the winner.

And to sweeten the pot--check out the great contest gifts. All you have to do is enter on Rafflecopter for your chance to win!

Here’s the Grand Prize list:

1 Kindle Fire (Donated by Blushing Books)

1 $75 Amazon (or B&N) Gift Card

1 $25 Starbucks Gift Card (Donated by Sue)

1 $25 Blushing Books Gift Card (Donated by Patty)

1 $25 Loose Id Gift Card (Donated by Cara)

And please do check out the other authors!

While you are on my blog, also check out my novels. I write historical romances, but my latest "The She Wolf and the Priest" is also paranormal. It's about the love between a shape shifter white wolf gypsy woman and a Catholic priest. The woman is not an ordinary woman--she can not only shape shift, but she can raise the dead and is the last of her unique, special tribe. You'll want to see how their lives interplay....

Thanks for hopping by.....
Joanne

Hop back to others in the blog hop:

www.hopswithheart.blogspot.com

To enter the contest:

Here’s the link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/M2FkMjc2ZjgzOTdlNTJhOTk3OTg1NDViY2RmOTg1OjEw/

Come meet Jane Wakely and her newest romance release

Friend and fellow Rebel Ink Press author Jane Wakely has a great new book out. I'm delighted to let her tell you all about it. And remember to leave a comment at the end for (surprise)!


Book Spotlight: Ella’s Cougar

Title: Ella’s Cougar (Chestnut Rock Shifters, Book 7)

Author: Jane Wakely

Genre: Paranormal/Shifter Romance

Publisher: Rebel Ink Press

Blurb:

Ella Cardwell never forgot the cougar she met in the forest after wandering away from her parents when she was six years old. Her unbelievable story, combined with her fascination of the animals, caused her to leave home when she turned eighteen and find the cougar that monopolizes her thoughts. She makes the journey to the Chestnut Rock Resort, certain she will find her destiny—the boy, now a man, from all those years ago. She recognizes him on sight, but he’s not waiting for her like she thought he would be.

Cole Rookman met his mate when he was too young to understand the strong, intense feelings conjured by the mating instinct. With no way to track her down, he’s lived for nearly fifteen years with the knowledge he would never be able to claim her, and he would always be alone. Unusual circumstances lead to allowing thoughts of his mate to break down his carefully constructed barriers, and he risks losing everything.

Ella makes new friends, but they soon learn her secret: she came looking for a man who is unavailable. Instead of censure, they offer comfort and friendship until the truth starts to unravel and her crush is ultimately revealed. Cole wants to believe his mate searched him out, but after battling severe depression, he’s not willing to raise his hopes. Wishing for something impossible is reckless, but when all signs point to the girl as his mate, he has to find her and see for himself.

Excerpt:

His cousin’s mate had always been cheerful and friendly, but now that she and Ethan were mated, the woman bubbled, even when she wasn’t saying anything. Though he kept his distance most of the time—being around a newly mated couple depressed most unmated shifters—Max never failed to make him smile. Her energy and joy was contagious, and he adored her company. She was the perfect mate for Ethan.

This time though, her presence couldn’t push away whatever he was feeling. He felt as though his heart was breaking, but how could it? Why today? Over the years he’d learned to accept his status. He would forever be alone, never part of a mated pair.

Unlucky enough to meet his mate when he was twelve years old, he’d been dealing with his situation for almost fifteen years. An anomaly in the shifter world, he’d only survived by the sheer will to live and beat the odds. Work, his cousin and their family, and now their new friends, helped him fight the depression and loneliness that threatened nearly every day.

Though he and Ethan were raised in the same home, shared by both families, most shifters lived alone until they found their mates. Many times, if a mate wasn’t found, a shifter could sink deep into a black hole of depression and never emerge. It wasn’t unheard of for an unmated shifter to die of loneliness.

A mated shifter that didn’t claim their mate faced the same risks as an unmated one. His feelings had been easier to control because he met her when they were only children, but once found, both shifters and their mates experience extreme and often confusing desires toward each other.

He’d often wondered what it had been like for her, meeting him so young and watching him change from an animal to a boy and back.

Book Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bEBxU9

All Romance Ebooks: http://bit.ly/1kgYa6Y

Author Bio:

Jane has been creating stories of love and romance for as long as she can remember. She’s a sucker for a happy ending and thinks the best thing about any movie or book is when the characters find someone to love.

Jane writes romance in the contemporary, fantasy and paranormal genres, but paranormal romance is her true passion. She loves creating worlds around sexy shifters and vamps—even if the shifter is a smelly skunk!

Jane writes sensual romance that will warm your heart, and a happy ever after is guaranteed!

Author Links:

Website: www.janewakely.com

Blog: www.janewakely.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JaneWakely

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/JaneWakelyRomanceAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JaneWakely

Giveaway!

Leave a comment below (with Email) for a chance to win a Chestnut Rock Swag Pack! Jane will choose and announce the winner tomorrow in the comments! :)

 

My newest release - The She Wolf and the Priest

Angelora is a breathtakingly beautiful shape shifter who takes the form of a wolf. She also possesses a supernatural ability to raise the dead. She’s the last remaining member of a unique gypsy tribe in Romania in 1880 where only the women of the sect retained these extraordinary gifts, handed down from generation to generation.

Father Steven is an incredibly sexy Catholic priest with a haunting past. He lives a simple, holy life attending to the needs of Saint Isidore’s parish and draws comfort from the knowledge his past sins have been forgiven, until one fateful night his and Angelora’s paths cross.

Will Father Steven ignore his sacred vow of celibacy to woo the beautiful, sultry gypsy who imprints on his life? And will her “powers” unite them or destroy them?

This novella will change the way you view Catholic priests. What could be spicier than illicit love?

Available now from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and Allromanceebooks.com