Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Remembering Princess Diana 20 Years Later




It's impossible to believe that we lost Princess Diana 20 years ago. Such a beautiful woman and a kind soul in every way. I went to Westminster Abbey two days after the funeral, with some flowers I'd brought from home, a bit wilted, but they survived the trip. The ground was covered with tons of flowers. I saw a note that said "You're too good for this world." So true. She left the world a much better place than she found it.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Meet Monique DeVere and Check Out Book One of the Sexiest Eye Candy Series, ETHAN'S TEMPORARY FLING

Meet my guest Monique DeVere and check out Book One of the Sexiest Eye Candy Series, ETHAN'S TEMPORARY FLING


About ETHAN’S TEMPORARY FLING
He’s so sexy he has the title to prove it!

Super-hunky, weight-loss celebrity Ethan Stone brings out Dr. Karis Van de Burke’s inner bad-girl. To prove it, when Ethan accepts the challenge to persuade the sassy, love-rejected cosmetic surgeon to appear as a guest on his show, she ends up inviting him into her bed for one night of guilty pleasure instead.

Used to women throwing themselves at him boobs first, Ethan knows his way around every female erogenous zone, but the sizzling chemistry he has with Karis blindsides him. Soon he’s convincing her to extend their one-night to another ... and another ... and...

Karis can’t resist! Yet, if Ethan discovers her secret, he’ll ditch her as fast as her ex-fiancé had – but really, what could go wrong in a one-week tangle-free affair?




Excerpt
Ethan Stone.
The reason his name seemed familiar was that his producers had been hounding her to agree to appear on a segment on his health and weight loss show. They claimed to want the sisters to try to mend their relationship so Andie could have closure.
Karis knew better than to put herself within arm’s reach of her sister.
The doorbell rang.
Karis puffed out a delicious sigh of relief and binned the carton. At eight p.m., it could only mean one thing.
“Thank the Lord—dinner.”
“What did you order?” Her mum’s chastising tone filtered into her ear. “Nothing unhealthy, I hope.”
“It’s usually a surprise. A few times a week my friend from the deli drops by with food. She knows I hardly have time to shop and takes pity on me.”
Karis practically bounded to the front door. She was star-ving. She yanked open the door, ready to devour whatever mouth-watering yumminess was on the other side and nearly dropped the phone.
Her mouth fell open. She blinked, unable to believe her eyes. For sure, something yummy stood before her, but not hers to devour—not that she wouldn’t have equally welcomed dinner in this form. She let her gaze roam down then back up again.
Ethan Stone—he of the title Sexiest Eye Candy To Lust After—towered outside her door. He was tall, far taller than she imagined from his magazine photo. At five-foot-eight—eleven in heels—she looked most men in the eye, but to do the same with Ethan Stone she had to tip her chin six inches.
She must have conjured some kind of freaky fantasy after snagging her own copy of the gossip magazine. Because there was no way Ethan Stone would be standing outside her door at eight-o-five at night in a dinner suit holding a single white rose as he unleashed that incredible smile. Karis glanced behind her to where she’d left the magazine, then back at him.
“Karis Van de Burke?” His deep intonation did something strange to her solar plexus. Made it quiver.
“Darling? Are you still there?” Her mum’s voice was an unwelcome intrusion.
“I’ll call you back, Mum.” She cut the call without taking her eyes off the man in front of her. He was striking, with a straight-edged aquiline nose, chiselled features so even and appealing she couldn’t stop staring. His hair was a lighter brown than his photo depicted, but his eyes ... those eyes were just as remarkable. Dark-blue rings surrounded the vivid blue irises, creating a contrast, which added a mysterious air that surely made him stand out in a crowd.
“Yes, I’m Karis Van de Burke.” She cleared her throat. What was up with her voice?
“I’m Ethan Stone.”
“I know who you are.” She tucked the phone behind her back so he wouldn’t notice her slight nervous tremor. “Why are you here?”
He offered her the rose. “I came to proposition you.”
She blinked. The evening sun was still bright and framed him in golden light, making him appear almost dreamlike.
He smiled. Someone should outlaw such a lethal smile. “I’m hoping you’ll let me take you out to dinner, ask you to reconsider my producers’ offer.”
Karis released her grip on the door and took the rose. “I’m sorry to inform you, you’re wasting your time, Mr Stone. As I’ve told your producer—Rob, was it—?”
“Ray.”
“Ray ... I’m not interested in becoming a circus act.”
“He relayed your thoughts on the matter. However, I was hoping you’d give me one hour of your time so I can—”
“Try to convince me to let you make a fool of me on national television?” She handed back the rose. “Thanks, but no thank you.”
His fascinating blue eyes flicked to her outstretched hand. He left her hanging.
Choosing that moment, her stomach growled a ravenous reminder.
“You’re hungry, and I’m offering to take you to dinner.” He sniffed the air. “Since I don’t detect the aroma of food, I think I can safely presume you haven’t eaten yet.”
“I was just on my way to pick up something.”
His smile told her he knew she was fibbing. “In that case, will you allow me to join you?”
Arm tiring from its outstretched position, Karis drew the rose back and placed it, along with the phone, onto the side table next to the door.
“So you can talk me into appearing on your show?”
“Because I’m hungry too, and I’d like an opportunity to share my ideas for your sister’s follow-up episode, in the hopes you might consider rethinking your position.”
She couldn’t hold back the wicked smile tugging the corners of her lips, so she bit down on her bottom lip. Any position involving Ethan Stone did deserve some consideration.


*~*
QUOTE: “If you love your romance with a dose of humor, this is the book for you. Monique DeVere is a master at tugging at your heartstrings and your funny bone, all at the same time. Highly recommend!” ~ Alicia Dean


About Monique


Monique DeVere is a full-time author of Sweet 'n' Spicy Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance. She also writes Christian Supernatural Suspense movie scripts. She was born on the beautiful island of Barbados, where she grew up on a large plantation with enough wide-open space to let the imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and shortly after met and fell instantly, and irrevocably, in love with her very own strong-silent-type hero. When Monique isn’t writing or spending quality time with her family, she likes to armchair travel to distant and exciting parts of the world and considers herself to have the best job on earth.

You can visit her at moniquedevere.com where she invites you to join her exclusive Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Readers Club packed full of goodies for her members. Monique loves to hear from her readers, do contact her at monique@moniquedevere.com.

Purchase ETHAN’S TEMPORARY FLING


Where to Find Monique:


R

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Spectacular Review of my Romance Thriller THE END OF CAMELOT, Book 3 of The New York Saga

Romance author Lynda Coker reviews books on her blog "Between the Pages" and reviewed
Books 1 and 2 of the New York Saga, FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET and
BOOTLEG BROADWAY.

Book 3, THE END OF CAMELOT, got a "Totally Hooked--Can't Put it Down" 5-star review.


Title: Book Three - The End of Camelot
Author: Diana Rubino
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Review Rating: 
***** Totally Hooked - Can't Put It Down


Review Comments: 
In the prologue of this book, Vikki McGlory has just achieved her dream marriage and the fairy-tale life she'd always wanted. She called it Camelot. What an ingenious way to highlight the title of this book, making it jump back into a reader's mind. The End of Camelot... Instantly, without knowing anything about Vikki McGlory, the author had made me care deeply for her loss, one that if the title was true, she would experience in the future. Of course, I have to stay with her! Great beginning

Quote from Book:

She dropped the phone and slid down against the wall. Her glasses fell off her face. The room spun. Sunlight glared. 

Monday, August 7, 2017

Meet Mary Anne Yarde--A Fascinating Arthurian Author

Mary Anne is a friend of mine and a historical author. The Du Lac Chronicles are set in King Arthur's time. As a huge Arthur buff (the play Camelot by Lerner & Lowe being my favorite of all time) I devour any book with Arthur's name on it!


 Island of Glass

Joseph of Arimathea stood on Golgotha Hill and watched, with a broken heart, as Jesus died on a wooden cross. When they finally lowered Jesus from the cross, Joseph felt compelled to offer Jesus' family the use of his tomb, so that they had somewhere to lay Jesus' broken body. 



Picture of Cross ~ Pixabay

It is hard to imagine what was going on in Joseph's mind that day. To give up his grave was no small thing, but his love for Jesus and for what he stood for, meant more to him than his final resting place.


Glastonbury Tor, believed as a portal to another dimension 
Photo: Pixabay

But then a miracle happened, and Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb was again empty, but Joseph's heart was full of wonder. He became a disciple and spent the rest of his life wandering the world and passing on the teachings of Jesus.


Joseph of Arimathea by Pietro Perugino, a detail from his
 Lamentation over the Dead Christ. ~ Wikipedia

It came to pass that Joseph and a group of friends sailed to a distant land called Albion. They followed the River Severn as they travelled inland and finally they found themselves in The Summer Lands.
 
The Summer Lands were only accessible during the summer months for grazing cattle and sheep. In the winter the water would reclaim the land and all that would be left was a very large hill, seemingly floating in the middle of this great flood. The water reflected the hill and because of this the Celts called this place Ynys Witrin —The Isle of Glass.


Galahad, Bors and Percival achieve the Grail. Tapestry woven by Morris & Co ~ Wikipedia

Joseph and his friends climbed one of the smaller hills that surrounded the largest hill. Joseph lent heavily upon his thorn-wood staff, as he tried to catch his breath from the climb. He decided to name the hill, Weary-A-Hill. Joseph thrust his staff into the damp earth and then sat down to rest.

That night an angel visited Joseph in his dreams. The angel told Joseph that this land was his future. It would be his new home.


Hawthorn flowers ~ Pixabay

Joseph awoke, refreshed, as did his friends, but much to their surprise the staff had taken root. New shoots shot out from the once smooth wood. Theses shoots would soon grow into strong branches. The buds of leaves were already forming. This was a miracle. This was a gift from God. There was no doubt in Joseph's mind.

Weary-A-Hill was owned by a rich nobleman who had no time for the stories of this Christian deity. Neither did he have any use for the hill, for it was too steep to farm. In a gesture of goodwill, he told Joseph he could build on the hill if he so desired.

Joseph took the nobleman up on his offer and build he did. But it wasn't a house for himself — it was a house for God. He built a House Of Worship. In fact, it was the first Christian Church ever to be built.

And then people started to come. At first, the odd few strangers turned up, but people were drawn here, answering a silent call. Soon Joseph had a healthy congregation, and yet, still more people came.




The Pilgrim (Glastonbury Abbey) ~Pixabay

The Angel had been right. Joseph had found his home in what was once a strangely foreign place. He had no need for his tomb that he had given up for Jesus all those years ago. It was said that Joseph was buried on the Hill, although the exact location will forever remain a mystery. The church that Joseph built was rebuilt over the centuries. Times changed, but one thing has always remained constant and that is the Thorn tree. As regular as clockwork, the thorn blossoms every year at Easter and Christmas. 



The Somerset Levels (The Summer Lands) ~ Pixabay

Many travelled to see this miracle tree. Many compared it to Jesus' Crown of Thorns.

The Island of Glass, a forgotten name for a kingdom that inspired many legends. In the years that followed the name would change and it would become known as the Isle of Avalon.

This isn't the end of the story, far from it. Joseph's staff was not the only thing he brought with him from the Holy Lands. It was rumoured that he also brought with him a vessel. A precious cup. A beautiful Grail.

The Du Lac Chronicles series



A generation after Arthur Pendragon ruled, Briton lies fragmented into warring kingdoms and principalities.

Eighteen-year-old Alden du Lac ruled the tiny kingdom of Cerniw. Now he half-hangs from a wooden pole, his back lashed into a mass of bloody welts exposed to the cold of a cruel winter night. He’s to be executed come daybreak—should he survive that long.

When Alden notices the shadowy figure approaching, he assumes death has come to end his pain. Instead, the daughter of his enemy, Cerdic of Wessex, frees and hides him, her motives unclear.

Annis has loved Alden since his ill-fated marriage to her Saxon cousin—a marriage that ended in blood and guilt—and she would give anything to protect him. Annis’s rescue of Alden traps them between a brutal Saxon king and Alden’s remaining allies. Meanwhile, unknown forces are carefully manipulating the ruins of Arthur’s legacy.


About Mary Anne

Mary Anne is an award winning author of the International Best Selling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Briton and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, the Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.

Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury--the fabled Isle of Avalon--was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.

Contact Mary Anne



Slideshow