NEW RELEASE JUNE 24! Sadira Stone's RUNAWAY LOVE STORY, Book Two in the Book Nirvana Series

 JUNE 24 IS RELEASE DAY FOR RUNAWAY LOVE STORY! 

About Sadira

Ever since her first kiss, Sadira’s been spinning steamy tales in her head. After leaving her teaching career in Germany, she finally tried her hand at writing one. Now she’s a happy citizen of Romancelandia, penning contemporary romance and cozy mysteries from her home in Washington State. When not writing, which is seldom, she explores the Pacific Northwest with her charming husband, enjoys the local music scene, belly dances, plays guitar badly, and gobbles all the books.

Inspiration for the Book Nirvana Series

Until recently, I was one of those readers--literary snobs who look down their noses at romance for the usual stupid reasons: too corny, too predictable, too fluffy. Then I read a few online articles about how fun and lucrative writing erotica can be. I thought, what the heck? Let's try.

I have never had so much fun with a writing project! My first steamy romance, Through the Red Door, nearly wrote itself, though it damned sure didn't edit itself. I've totally immersed myself in the world of romance, gobbling books like popcorn, filling my ears with romance podcasts, and joining the Romance Writers of America. From skeptic to romance mega-fan in two short years, I’m totally addicted to passionate, heartfelt stories with happy endings.

Why set the series in a bookshop? Ever since I was a wee lass, I dreamed of owning one. Add to that my fascination with historical erotic art and literature, and you’ve got the Book Nirvana series, set in an indie bookshop with an extensive erotica collection behind a locked red door.

I love stories in which a couple’s powerful physical attraction leads them to consider a partner outside their usual M.O.—one who just might turn out to be their perfect match. That’s how it happened for my husband and me, and my romance fiction contains that element.

I sort of pulled the setting out of a hat. I wanted to set my series in a college town. I’d heard that Eugene, home of the University of Oregon, has a lively arts scene and a rich counterculture legacy from the hippie era. After much online research, correspondence, and hours on Google Earth, I finally made the trip. Eugene is even lovelier than I’d imagined. Kate Rock, a resident author, kindly shared her knowledge of the city’s history and the flavor of the different neighborhoods. I look forward to many return trips.

About RUNAWAY LOVE STORY

She hates average...he's as average as they come.

High school history teacher Doug Garvey is trying to enjoy his last few weeks of summer vacation, but receiving his final divorce decree hits him harder than expected. After a brief fling fizzles, he fears love just isn't in the cards for him. If only he could find someone who's real, someone interested in something beyond herself…maybe a new running partner who can keep up with his more carnal appetite. When sexy, straight-talking Laurel runs across his path, he dares to hope again.

He's done with social-climbing posers...she's ambitious and has big dreams.

Fired from an art gallery, Laurel Jepsen shelves her pursuit of an art career in San Francisco to help her beloved great aunt Maxie move into assisted living. While out on a morning run, she's harassed by a group of teens until a tall, broad-shouldered hottie steps in, pretending to be her boyfriend with a kiss that makes her wish it were true. But she's only passing through, not looking for a relationship.

Their fierce chemistry burns up the sheets—and the couch, the shower, the forest—but falling in love would ruin everything. Laurel can't stay in Eugene, and he can't leave. Doug's only hope is to convince her the glittery life she's after could blind her to the opportunities already in her path.

Excerpt

“I’m sorry she called you the S word.”
  “Huh?”
  “Sensible.”
  She laughed. “Yeah. That’s a curse word, as far as I’m concerned.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
  “I’ll strike it from my vocabulary. Your S word is sparkle.” He traced her jawline with a feather-light touch. “Look at you, Laurel. You’re blinding.” His twilight-blue gaze made her heart dance—a steamy tango with swirls and dangerous dips. He kissed her, and, for a moment, she forgot all about caution, about cutting things off before they became too serious, about San Francisco. Her focus narrowed to his lips on hers, his nearness heating her whole body, opening her like a blossom, soft and willing. Ripe for the plucking.
“God, I’ve missed you.” He scooped her legs across his lap. One hand cradling her nape, the other gripping her thigh, he kissed her senseless. His velvet tongue teased her lips apart. He tasted of sugary coffee. The world around them faded—just two bodies, calling and answering, breathing in sync, their pulses beating the same rhythm.

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Meet Suzanne Jenkins and Check Out THE BRIDE WORE LEATHER, her Contemporary Romance

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Meet Angela Scavone, On Tour With CELEBRITY STATUS, her Contemporary Romance

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Meet Stacy Eaton--Here's LOVE TORN, Book 2 of the Twisted Love Series

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Written by USA Today Bestselling Author Stacy Eaton

Co-Authored Series with Bestselling Author Amy Manemann

Meet Bonnie Edwards and Read About FINDING MERCY, her Contemporary Romance

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Meet Kat Henry Doran and Read About VENGEANCE IS MINE, her Contemporary Romantic Trilogy

About Kat

Legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner Kat Henry Doran  and her alter ego, Veronica Lynch, has been there and done that—many times over. She often travels to the wilds of Northern New York State, witnessing the wonders of mother nature at her best. From the shores of Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River to the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, she creates stories featuring strong women and the men who love them. 

When not writing, she can be found lashed to one of her sewing machines—or chauffeuring the four brightest stars in her life: Meredith and Ashlin, Owen and Kieran.

About VENGEANCE IS MINE

          Ever think about going back to study hall to face down the school bully?

          The mean girls?

          The brainless jocks who made your life a pure misery?

          For Dru Horvath, gypsy orphan turned Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist; Rafe Archangeli, Scourge of Summerville who now heads a multi-million dollar trust; and Fiona “Fat Aggie” Thorpe who recreated herself into an A-list model with her own A-list agency, the opportunity to exact revenge is too good to pass up.

          Will they find the vengeance they crave?

          Or something more valuable?   

Excerpt

          “Tough way to find out about the other woman.”

          “Other woman, hell,” Dru groused. “The assistant was some young stud from Tommy's gym with abs to die for.”

          With that. she side-stepped him and reached for the knob on the bathroom door.

          Fast on his feet, Rory's counter move brought them nose to nose. “Play much poker, Horvath?”

          “I don't know what you mean.”

          “Before you started trash talking the cheating ex-husband, your face lit up like the Fourth of July. That tells me you've got something stashed in the tote. Until you let me look inside, it stays out here.”

          Clutching the canvas tote to her chest, she sneered, “The only thing in here is my outfit for tonight's event. If you think I'd go naked, one of us is a couple fries short of a happy meal.”

          His response came in the form of another gimme motion with those thick, blunt fingers. “How about I close my eyes if I encounter any lacy unmentionables?”

          “As if.”

          She knew the instant he found the back-up phone. The screw-you look morphed into a smirk. “It's not smart to mess with Homeland Security, sweetie. Those guys eat small rodents for breakfast.”

An Interview with Kat

You, the Author

What kind of books do you love to read? Why?

I like and appreciate the mystery/thrillers by John Sanford, John R. Maxim, David Wiltse and Vince Flynn. I love characters who make me laugh and make me think about things.

What type of music do you enjoy?

I am a sixties and seventies girl all the way: the Mamas and the Papas, the Bee Gees, the Four Seasons, Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66; anything by George Gershwin and Roy Orbison; Peter Paul & Mary and Carly Simon. Johnny Mathis songs still make me smile.

What is your favorite food? What comfort food do you seek when you need it? 

Everything that's not good for me: pasta, pizza, Chinese take out and . . . iced coffee, two creams and three Splendas via IV line.

Describe yourself in one word.

Driven.

What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

I drove by myself to Maine to attend a writers' retreat. Doesn't sound like much but it was 1,000 miles, by myself in a vehicle which could be generously described as a rust bucket. On the way home, I hit every outlet mall along the Maine coast and ran the numbers off my credit cards. It was great.

Your writing

When did you write your first book? How long did it take you to write it?

In the early to mid 1980's; it was complete and utter dreck. It probably took months. Contest judges were so kind and generous in their comments and I'm sure they were horrified at some of my topics or some of the stupid situations I put my characters in.

Did you encounter any obstacles in writing?

There are people out there who are so fearful of others, they'll go to any lengths to sabotage the competition. A few of those saboteurs were members of the first writer's group I joined. I never was afraid to bring 3-5 pages to critique sessions because I wanted to learn. The response was really quite cruel, particularly when I included  medical or legal information in the pages. It wasn't only me they tore down;  they were equal opportunity when it came to choosing victims. Many [victims] never returned to the group.

How did you overcome them?

I'd come home from meetings, close to tears and quite frustrated. My husband asked, more than once, “Why do you put up with it?” My response was “because I want to write.” I kept going back and eventually the 'mean girls' went in different directions. I don't know where but I do know I'm published and have received a couple awards. I often speak at conferences and retreats. So who won?

What kind of books do you love to write?

Contemporary romances which usually feature women who, in some way, shape or form, advocate for the less thans in our society. There's usually a lot of humor which comes out of my fingertips onto the keyboard without my control. The male characters more often than not are associated with the criminal justice system. I don't care to write male doctors as leads but I have done a couple female physicians. And nurses. There's always a few smart-mouthed suppository pushers in the group.

Why?

For more years than I care to count, I worked as an advocate for victims of sexual violence. Later, I turned my unfulfilled Nancy Drew fantasies into investigating allegations of medical malpractice. That can get kind of dicey when a ego-driven surgeon decides he doesn't like a woman asking them questions about how their decision making process. I liked those jobs; liked doing them. I learned something new each day.

I loathe lazy, take the easy way out medical or nursing providers as much as I loathe those in power positions who abuse that power over helpless victims. Writing about injustice, whether it's in the medical arena, a court of law or a police interrogation room, fills the need to help those who have no one to stand for them. 

How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?

My first novel, Try Just Once More began with a line from a song by Blood Sweat and Tears. The idea for my second novel came as I was traveling to a med-mal investigation and drove past a State Trooper sub-station with one car in the parking lot. [This was waaayyyy out in the boonies of Central New York, as rural as it gets]. The thought came: what happens when some hotshot detective is transferred from the big city and all its action to the butt-end of the earth? How does he cope with the ego-deflation, the injustice of it all? That novel is titled Captain Marvelous.

How do you go on from there?

I now do a lot of research, particularly for the setting and the hobbies of the lead characters. I believe, strongly, that the setting should be treated as one of the characters. I also believe what a character likes to do for fun and relaxation is important to have in a book and deserves more than a simple nod.

Maybe you can give us an example with one of your books.

In 2016 I became involved with an anthology written by the Maine Romance authors, Welcome to Serenity Harbor. The hero, a licensed contractor, helps his widowed mother run the family landscaping business. For fun he plays hockey. That meant I needed to do a lot of research on hockey and the men who play it--no huge trial there. It also meant I needed to interview a local contractor to learn about things like 'walking the roof'. Then it came to learning which plants thrive in the Down-East coast of Maine and which don't stand a chance in Hades of surviving. All in all, it was a lot of fun. If something isn't fun, I'm not interested.

What books can you recommend to aspiring writers to improve on style, character development, plot, structure, dialogue, etc?

I recently came upon two self editing books:  Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell and Fire Up Your Fiction by Jodie Renner. Both are excellent and, as I found out, available at the public library. My absolute personal fave is Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon. That one is pure gold. 

What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Don't give up. Keep trying. Keep learning. Take a leap and try a different genre from what others tell you to write; write what you love. If one person says something is stupid or wrong or idiotic, okay. If two people say the same thing, consider it. If three or more say it, it's time to look it what you've written and consider changing things.

What genre(s) do you write?

Contemporary romance, occasionally with some romantic suspense or romantic mystery thrown in.

Why do you write the stories that you write?

That's what I love to read.  

 Where do you get your ideas?

Newspaper reports, nightly news spots, and occasionally I see something  on the Internet that deserves attention.

Do you jot them down in a notebook, in case you forgot? Absolutely. I suffer from a romping case of CRS Syndrome and cannot trust my memory. I think I have spent enough money to own stock in Post-It notes.

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Connect with Kat and Veronica

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Twitter: @Kathenrydoran1

Meet Victoria Danann and Read About Her Biker Romance ROADHOUSE, Sons of Sanctuary Austin, TX, Book 5

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SSMC (Sons of Sanctuary MC, Austin, Texas) Book 5

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Meet Suzanne Jenkins and Read About TOUCH ME WHEN WE'RE DANCING, her Contemporary Romance

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Meet Jana Richards, and Read About LIES AND SOLACE – Book 1 of the Love at Solace Lake Series, for our #Eggcerpt Exchange

About Jana

When Jana read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.

In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website.

 About LIES AND SOLACE

Love is worth the risk…

When their grandfather dies, the Lindquist sisters, Harper, Scarlet and Maggie, inherit the northern Minnesota fishing lodge that had been in their family for three generations. The inheritance is bittersweet. They were raised at the lodge by their grandparents. The natural beauty of the place hasn’t changed, but the building itself is crumbling and desperately in need of repair. The lodge also reminds them of what they lost. Twenty-two years previously, their parents died there in what was ruled a murder/suicide.

 As the sisters struggle to breathe new life into the failing lodge, old fears and questions rise to the surface even as new love presents itself. Why did their father murder their mother? What truths did their grandparents keep from them? The sisters must fight to keep the wounds of the past from putting their futures, and their fledgling relationships, in jeopardy. 

Purchase LIES AND SOLACE

Excerpt

She’d just placed the last dish on the drain board when Ethan entered the kitchen, his hair still damp from his shower. He’d shaved with the razor she’d found for him and was wearing his own clothes again. Once more the elegant, well-dressed businessman. The chasm grew between them even as he stood in her kitchen. She was stupid to believe there could ever be anything aside from business between them.

She lifted her chin, determined not to let her façade slip. “I’ve gathered all my estimates and drawings and put them in a bag so you can take them with you.”

“I appreciate that.”

They walked together to the front door, and Harper lifted his beautiful overcoat from the coat tree. It still held the scent of his after-shave, and she had to resist the urge to raise it to her nose and breathe it in. Instead, she held it out to him with a forced smile. “Have a safe trip back to Minneapolis, Ethan.”

“Thanks.” He took the coat from her and slipped it on. “I want to thank you for your hospitality.”

“It was my pleasure.”

So formal. But it was the only way she could get through the next few minutes.

He picked up the cloth bag with all her information on the renovation project. “Goodbye, Harper. I’ll be in touch soon.”

“Goodbye.” She shook his outstretched hand briefly.

He opened the front door and headed toward his truck. Harper grabbed a sweater from the coat tree and stood in the open doorway watching him leave, not quite able to shut the door on him despite the biting cold.

Halfway to the truck, Ethan stopped. For a second, he stood completely still, his head bowed. Then he dropped the bag, turned on his heel, and walked back to her, his steps full of purpose.

“Did you forget something?”

“Yeah.”

He pulled her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers with an urgency that set her blood on fire. She moaned as she molded herself against him, her arms winding around his neck, her fingers tangling in his damp hair. He swept her mouth with his tongue, demanding a response. She gave herself over to his kiss, loving the sweet taste of his mouth, the clean smell of his skin, the solid feel of his body.

All too soon he broke the kiss. He grasped her shoulders and pushed away from her, breathing hard. She searched his face for answers.

“I have to go,” he said. “I’ll call you soon.”

She nodded, unable to speak. He released her and walked back to his truck. No longer sheltered in his arms, the bitter cold swept through her. She pulled her sweater more securely around her shoulders.

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Meet Tina Gayle and Read About IT EXEC'S BABY, Book 2 of the Executive Wives Club Series, for our #EggcerptExchange

About Tina

Tina grew up a dreamer and loved to escape into the world of books.
After years of working in the business world doing a variety of jobs, she decided to try her hand at writing and hope to incorporate the joy of being a woman into her books.
Married thirty years, she and her husband love to travel and play golf.  She can’t wait to do more of both.

About IT Exec’s Baby 

Brie Sullivan has a new baby girl and there are a million things to do, but Brie doesn’t have the energy to keep up. Why? She’s still grieving for her husband and suffering from baby blues, but she won’t let that stop her. She’s come up with the answer--find a new husband to be the father of her kids.

Jason Clark has been doing everything he can to help Brie. He loves her but can he accept her proposal of marriage knowing she’s not thinking clearly about the future?

Comments from Reviews for IT Exec’s Baby

“IT Exec’s Baby is almost a love story in reverse. The marriage comes first, then the sex, and finally the love - at least from Brie's point of view. It is tender and poignant at times, and full of strong descriptive passages.”

“What I love about series books. Every book gives you more about the characters that you've fallen in love with during the first book.”

“IT Exec’s Baby is a riveting story of a woman with numerous problems.”

* * *

Excerpt

With the warmth of the sun beating down on her head and the sound of her children’s laughter ringing in her ears, Brie spread her arms and spun in a circle.

She raised her voice and called to her kids as she walked to the railing of the upper deck. “You better find a good hiding place because ready or not here I come.”

With Isabella down for a nap, Brie drew in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air and the freedom from being stuck inside the house. The kids had convinced her to play with them outside. She loved the easy game of hide-and-go-seek. Glancing over the rail, she scanned the backyard, searching for Ethan’s and Allison’s young forms.

A giggle sounded from below the deck.

Brie stepped down a few stairs to search the patio below. Still unable to catch a glimpse of her children, she continued down the staircase, listening for sounds that might give her a clue to their whereabouts.

Not seeing either one of them, she hugged the back wall and silently slipped to the corner of the house that had concrete steps, which led to the front yard.

Determined to catch one of her kids heading for home-base, Brie refrained from peeking around the corner. The squeak of a tennis shoe alerted her to someone’s arrival.

Ready to grab them the minute they rounded the corner, Brie stayed out of sight. A shadow fell across the patio, and Allison’s young form raced past.

Jumping out to grab her, Brie touched her daughter’s shoulder.

Allison’s wail of surprise vibrated off the bottom of the deck and pierced through Brie’s brain. Undeterred by the noise, she caught her daughter’s arm and spun her around.

“I got you.”

“No,” Allison screamed again.

* * *

Read the First Chapter

          Purchase IT EXEC'S BABY at Amazon

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Read the first chapter of any of her books by visiting her website.

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Read About SAVING GRACE by Aubrey Wynne, Contemporary Romance with Historical Elements

SAVING GRACE
by Aubrey Wynne

Meet Jacqueline Simon Gunn and Read About FOREVER AND ONE DAY, her Contemporary Romance

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by Jacqueline Simon Gunn

Warm Up With a Steamy Romance, BITTERSWEETS by Suzanne Jenkins

BITTERSWEETS

Oscar & Lisa
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Meet R.L. Ramsey and Read About LOVE TIMES INFINITY, Book 1 of The Relinquished Series, Contemporary Romance

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The Relinquished Series, Book 1
by K.L. Ramsey

Check Out Contemporary Literary Fiction Romance, The Last Breath by Leigh Lennon

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by Leigh Lennon

Meet Liza O'Connor and check out her disturbing/dark contemporary romance...with a happy ending, ANGEL OF MERCY

Angel of Mercy

A Disturbing/Dark Contemporary Romance

With a Happy Ending

 If only they would let the TV viewers catch the ball.

During my years watching football…

A missed catch,

A missed field goal kick,

A missed tackle

Results in someone who is drinking a beer as he watches the game on TV declaring he could have caught the ball, kicked the ball between the field goals, or tackled the guy with the ball.

Seriously, guys. If it were so easy, they wouldn’t have to pay so much for the players. They could just invite TV viewers to stop by and make the touchdown.

About Liza

Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels.

About Angel of Mercy

Carla Jones accidentally runs over and paralyzes a policeman. She ignores her lawyer's advice and pleads guilty to the charges, and accepts the judge’s ruling ‘that she broke him, now she has to fix him.’ Trying very hard to ignore his outrageous and frequently hateful behavior, she takes the handsome officer into her home and dedicates her life to one goal: making him walk again. She never imagines the twists and turns her life and heart will take the day she brings him home.

Excerpt

On Saturday, Carla was pleased to discover Steve had only invited Raymond, Tom, and Lucky to watch the game. She had grown concerned when Steve filled an entire shopping cart full of junk food delicacies and bought enough beer and alcohol to host a college keg party.

She had hoped she might be able to get some work done while Steve watched the game with his friends, but he insisted she join them and be one of the guys. To her surprise, she had fun.

Lucky’s over dramatization of every emotion, both joy and despair, was quite comical. Tom’s constant declaration that he could have caught the ball, thrown the ball, made the tackle, was so consistent that when the kicker missed a field goal, Carla sighed. “It’s a shame Tom hadn’t been the kicker.”

 Steve and Lucky burst into laughter, while Tom vociferously declared, “It was a damn shame, because I could have brought those three points home!”

When the game ended and the guys left, Steve wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. “That was fun. You had fun, didn’t you?”

She tilted her head up and smiled at him. “I had fun.” He turned her around so she faced him and kissed her softly on her lips.

“The only thing I don’t like about treating you like a guy is that I can’t hold you in my arms and kiss you, ’cause I don’t hug and kiss my friends.” He then smiled and edged her towards the couch. “But I think I’m going to find the wait makes it all the sweeter.”

He kissed her as his hands expertly began to remove her clothes.

Purchase Angel of Mercy

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